Maria Horn

Summer can be contradictory. In anticipation of having a wide-open schedule, I got a little carried away and ended up having to cancel a few things when unexpected events arose.  The week began with a legislative conference in Chicago, followed (a little more immediately than expected) by a special session called by the Governor to extend his emergency powers until September 30. The bill under consideration was only four lines long, but given where we are in the pandemic, it required detailed consideration. 
 
I supported the extension of the Governor’s emergency powers, which passed in both the House and the Senate, for several reasons.  First, overall, I hear overwhelming support from constituents (of many political persuasions) for how Governor Lamont has handled the pandemic and kept Connecticut citizens safe.  He has followed the science, relied on expertise, and earned much praise and support.  He is using his powers right now with a light touch. At one point in the pandemic, there were more than 300 Executive Orders in place: we are now down to fewer than one dozen.  The remaining orders concern vaccination sites, flexibility in procurement rules for health care providers, reimbursement for vaccinations, masking in public places, and non-congregate (read, less crowded) housing for the homeless and victims of domestic violence, to name a few.  Keeping these orders in place will improve the way we are handling the current situation and enable us to finish strong. 
 
Second, although Connecticut is in an excellent position with respect to public health and the end may be in sight, the pandemic is not yet over.  There are still 1.5 million residents who are not fully vaccinated, and we are seeing new variants take hold in unvaccinated communities.  It remains an urgent concern to increase vaccination rates throughout the state.  
 
And third, we enacted legislation this term to limit the Governor’s emergency powers currently in effect.  Under that bipartisan legislation, our leadership has the power to veto any new executive order passed using the current emergency.  The legislature as a whole also has that veto power, but convening the entire legislature is expensive and cumbersome (as a part-time legislature, we do not ordinarily meet in the summer months).  Enabling our leadership to do that is a much more effective tool, and imposes a significant limitation on the Governor.  Procedurally, we would have lost that tool if we had allowed the current emergency powers to expire. 
 
I closed out my week with a splurge on some unplanned dermatology.  Like many of you, I have put off basic preventative healthcare over the last year and a half, but I got a reminder this week that it’s not a good idea to keep doing that.  A screen from my dermatologist last week found something that I needed to get removed, but because I caught it early, by the time I’m stitched up later today I should be done.  The couple of days it took to deal with it was annoying to schedule (yes, I grumbled), but well worth it, so I encourage all of you to get those routine health screenings done!
 
 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• COVID Data. Click here.
• AHCT Special Enrollment Period Deadline is August 15. Click here.
• Federal Child Tax Credit Payments. Click here.
• Online Hub for Young Professionals. Click here. 
• Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Youth Film Challenge Launches. Click here.
• Gypsy Moth Defoliation in NW CT. Click here.
• Crop Loss from Tropical Storm Elsa. Click here. 
• Railroad Days in Canaan. Click here. 
• Honoring Birdsey Grant Northrop. Click here. 
• NW CT Chamber Business After Hours. Click here. 
• Sharon Hospital President to Host Update. Click here. 
• Community Celebration of Heath and Wellness. Click here. 

COVID Data

For  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.”

Reminder: Access Health CT Special Enrollment period deadline is August 15

Connecticut residents have one month left to enroll in health insurance coverage during the American Rescue Plan Act Special Enrollment Period ending August 15.  

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has virtually eliminated, or vastly reduced, monthly payments (premiums) for many people with low and moderate incomes and has saved Connecticut residents more than $4.5 million to date. This financial help is offered only through Access Health CT and benefits many, including those with somewhat higher incomes who can face high premiums.

For more information on the AHCT Special Enrollment Period and the American Rescue Plan Act, including how to access free assistance, visit AccessHealthCT.com.

Federal Child Tax Credit payments begin
 
Eligible families began receiving Child Tax Credit ($250 to $300 per child per month) deposits or checks on Thursday, July 15. The 2021 child tax credit advance payments, scheduled monthly from July through December, provide families with half of the child tax credit amount they could receive when they file their taxes next year, putting money into pockets now. The remaining credit will be claimed when they file their taxes next year.

Here’s a tool that can help you Calculate your child tax credit.
 
The IRS created a Child Tax Credit Update Portal for families to check if they’re enrolled to receive advance payments, unenroll to stop getting advance payments, or update bank account information for monthly payments starting with the August payment. In the coming months, people will be able to make other updates that affect their payments, including updating personal information like the birth of a child or marital status. The IRS also offers a Help Line to unenroll from payments at 800-908-4184.
 
Online hub for young professionals launched
 
Today the State of Connecticut has launched CTForMe, a new online hub focused on attracting and retaining young talent to the state. The initiative include a website (www.CTForMe.com) and Instagram account (@CTForMe) that feature the organic visual stories of young talent, entrepreneurs, and professionals who live and work in Connecticut.
 
Content on CTForMe reflects key themes of interest to young professionals, including employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, walkable cities and open spaces, arts and culture, the green economy, the environment and sustainability, community impact, and multiculturalism within Connecticut – all shared in the first-person.
  
The CTForMe hub, which is an initiative of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, incorporates original and curated content, including videos, first-person testimonials, news stories, statistics, and career and networking resources. This content will be shared with young talent across Connecticut and in surrounding states through social media programs, media outreach, digital marketing, and search engine marketing.
  
To date, CTforMe.com has attracted over 78,000 page views from more than 52,000 new site users. Site visits have been primarily from New England, New York, California, and Florida, with close to 30% of all traffic originating in the careers section of the website.
 
 
Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Youth Film Challenge launches with $3,500 in prizes
 
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has partnered with the Civic Life Project and the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative to launch the Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Youth Film Challenge. 
 
Residents of Berkshire County, Mass., Columbia and northeast Dutchess counties, N.Y., and northwest Litchfield County, Conn., ages 14 to 24 are invited to submit a 6-minute film that highlights divisions and inequities in society, and how young people are tackling challenges in their families, schools and communities. 
 
Films can focus on such topics as climate change; the state of our democracy; exclusion based on identity, age, religion or social or immigration status; or any local, national or global issue for which there are opposing views yet possibilities for reconciliation and healing. 
 
Virtual classes and one-on-one advice from professional filmmakers will be available starting July 22 until October. Equipment is available on a limited basis.
 
Films must be submitted by Nov. 1. A panel of filmmakers will judge entries and award a $2,000 first prize, $1,000 second prize and $500 third prize. Select films will be screened at events this fall. Click here to apply. 

Berkshire Taconic also partnered with the Berkshire Eagle and Berkshire Bank to host a four-part Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Speaker Series featuring noted speakers on topics such as race, social cohesion, the media's role in polarized times, and promising local engagement efforts. Recordings are available on their website.
 
 
Gypsy Moth defoliation in Northwest CT
 
Gypsy moth caterpillars (Lymantria dispar) have caused extensive defoliation of trees in Northwest Connecticut, centered around Sharon, and the resulting brown hillsides can be seen throughout the area.  The CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) released a statement on the infestation at the end of June, explaining the damage more fully.  CAES is hoping this is a “one and done” event as recent rains should have activated a caterpillar killing soil fungus. 
 
One year defoliation typically will not kill trees and most all will re-leaf between now and August.
 
 
Crop loss from Tropical Storm Elsa
 
Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Elsa, many farms throughout Connecticut are experiencing crop loss. The Department of Agriculture has issued the below information and is sharing it throughout the industry.
 
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and agricultural producers who may have experienced crop damage or loss due to Tropical Storm Elsa to declare a loss to their United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Crop losses can be modified after the initial reporting as necessary.
It is critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and report those losses to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible. For more information on disaster assistance, visit farmers.gov.

Railroad Days in Canaan!

Canaan Railroad Days is proud to be celebrating its 57th year in bringing an amazing festival to the Northwest Corner Enjoy fireworks, train history, carnival, live music and much more. Click here for the full calendar of events.

Saturday, July 17 will feature an event at 11 am with the Train Campaign, working to foster a robust network of rail transportation options.  The meet and greet will take place in the event room at Great Falls Brewing Company, upstairs from the taproom, in the historic Canaan Union Station. 

Great Falls Brewing Company is open for service at noon, and there will be 2 food trucks on site that day, Deb's Cafe and Cannoli Truck.  
 
 
Honoring Kent native Birdsey Grant Northrop on Sunday July 18 at 4 pm
 

Kent native Birdsey Grant Northrop was a champion of Arbor Day in the United States and abroad, and was an early pioneer of forestry and village improvement in our small towns.  On Sunday at 4pm, the Kent Gazebo will be dedicated in his name.

 
NW Connecticut Chamber Business After Hours Hosted by Sunset Meadow Vineyards: July 19 @ 5:00pm - 7:00pm
 
Join members of the NW Chamber of Commerce for an evening networking event at Sunset Meadow Vineyards. Bring your business cards and meet new and seasoned Chamber members. Wine tastings will be available for purchase. The Chamber is following all current CDC guidelines for in-person events. Click here to RSVP. 

Sharon Hospital president to update community on August 5

Sharon Hospital, part of Nuvance Health, will host its online “Community Update” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 5, via online livestream video.

Members of the surrounding community are invited to join the webinar to hear from hospital President Dr. Mark Hirko. He will discuss the latest hospital developments and updates on the affiliation that created Nuvance Health.

The independent monitor engaged by Nuvance Health will be present to report on its review of compliance with the affiliation agreement issued by Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy.

A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing sharonhospital@nuvancehealth.org or calling (845) 554-1734 with their name and phone number.

Questions can also be mailed to: Sharon Hospital, Attn: Community Forum, 50 Hospital Hill Road, Sharon, CT, 06069. 

Instructions on how to join the virtual meeting are posted on the hospital’s website: nuvancehealth.org/CTForums. The event will also stream at facebook.com/sharonhospital.
 
Community Celebration of Health & Wellness on October 1