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In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
The topics covered are as follows:
On Legislative Business
On Community Resources
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Special Session Convenes to Extend Lamont's Emergency Order to Sept. 30
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On Wednesday, both the House and the Senate convened to approve the extension of Governor Ned Lamont's emergency powers until September 30. Ultimately, though the pandemic has subsided, and Connecticut's vaccination rate continues to be one of the highest in the nation, the pandemic is still very much ongoing. The extension of this authority ensures that the state has the flexibility to continue the thoughtful and evidence-backed response that has allowed us to successfully navigate the everchanging pandemic, especially as we face emerging variants and questions still left to be answered.
Responding to the pandemic has a financial cost to the state, the emergency authority allows Connecticut to receive every federal dollar owed. Several federal funding sources are contingent on the continuance of certain orders issued pursuant to the emergency declarations or on the continuance of the emergency declarations themselves – and those sources have offered significant funding to Connecticut residents.
We don't have a way to tell what the future will bring, but we know in the short-term the extension of Connecticut's emergency declaration will allow the Governor and legislative leadership to work together to battle anything still to come.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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CT Makes Significant Jump on CNBC's ranking of 'America's Best States for Business'
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Adding to the list of nice things we can say about our great state, Connecticut made a significant jump (11 spots!) on the annual CNBC ranking of 'America's Best States for Business.' Pushing ahead towards a bright future with the business-focused policies passed in recent years earned Connecticut top marks for "infrastructure, the overall economy, business friendliness and technology and innovation."
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Child Tax Credit Dollars Hit Bank Accounts This Week
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In March, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, which continues to provide immediate relief to American families and communities. Included in that plan was the Child Tax Credit to provide nearly all working families with the support to make it easier to make ends meet and to boost child academic and economic performance over time.
The payments of the Child Tax Credit began hitting bank accounts on Thursday, July 15 – if you believe you should be receiving a credit and have not yet seen a direct deposit statement, click here to ensure your information is up-to-date.
Payments will be distributed automatically on a monthly basis as follows: July 15, August 13, September 15, October 15, November 15 and December 15. If you do not want to get payments on a monthly basis and would prefer to get the cash in a lump sum during tax season, you can update that preference on the IRS website.
To check if you are eligible to receive the credit, click here.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Today in Connecticut History: Connecticut Saves the US Constitutional Convention from Collapse
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Today in 1787, the vision of a new federal government for the fledgling United States of America was saved from the scrap heap of history as the delegates to the Constitutional Convention narrowly voted to adopt a key provision advanced by delegates from Connecticut. That provision is known to history as the Connecticut Compromise or, alternately, the Great Compromise. It was, to be sure, a hard-fought compromise over representation that saved the gridlocked convention at Philadelphia from near certain collapse.
For weeks, delegates had been locked in an intractable debate over how to ensure that all 13 states — which varied greatly in size and population — would be represented fairly in a unified federal government. The two proposals under debate were the Virginia plan (favored by larger states) which argued that a state’s representation ought to be proportional to its population, and the New Jersey plan (favored by smaller states) that claimed all 13 states should have equal representation, regardless of population.
The Connecticut Compromise proposed that the state be represented in a bicameral legislature consisting of two parts: a House where states would have representation proportional to their population size, and a Senate where each state would be represented equally. The Connecticut Compromise was adopted by a single vote by the Convention delegates on July 16, 1787. Thanks to Connecticut’s two persuasive delegates, the gridlock that threatened the very survival of America’s “Great Experiment” was broken.
Learn more about The Connecticut Compromise and other interesting CT history facts by clicking here.
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In-Person Events are Back - East Hartford & Manchester Town Halls Recap
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It was so much fun to get back to in-person events this week. I joined both the Manchester and East Hartford delegation to meet with constituents in-person and virtually to discuss the 2021 legislative session. Thank you to everyone who came out or joined the conversation online, I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the legislation we passed over the last few months, and what's on the top of your mind as we begin to consider legislation for the 2022 session.
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To view Manchester's Town Hall, hosted at Manchester Community College on Tuesday, click here (audio at the beginning isn't great – sorry about that!). And to view the East Hartford's Town Hall, hosted at Town Hall in East Hartford, click here.
As we continue to navigate the pandemic and our new normal, we will continue to adapt these events to the needs of our community and hope to continue the hybrid format. If you have any follow-up questions or thoughts, don't hesitate to reach out.
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Significant Funding for East Hartford & Manchester to be Considered at Next Week's Bond Commission Meeting
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Next Friday, the State Bond Commission is expected to meet and vote to approve two significant grants-in-aid for East Hartford and Manchester to support need restorations and renovations in both communities. I want to thank the Governor and the entire legislative delegations for both towns for making this possible.
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For East Hartford, the State Bond Commission is expected to provide a $950,000 grant-in-aid to support locker room renovations at both schools. The funding would also support the restoration of the 3.2-acre East Hartford High School Softball Field, which has been experiencing significant flooding due to a lower elevation compared to surrounding fields.
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The Town of Manchester is expected to receive a $300,000 grant-in-aid to support the preservation of 102 acres of Lombardo's Farm farmland. Cared for by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust and a passionate group of local volunteers, the open space provides residents with space for activities like hiking, biking, and skiing, in addition to gardens, wildlife, and plant habitats.
The Bond Commission plans to meet on Friday, July 23 at 10:30 AM, you can view the meeting here and find Friday's agenda, which will include each item to be considered, here.
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Reminder – Free Summer Meals Available for Kids and Teens
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Free summer meals are continuing to be offered at McAuliffe Park, Goodwin Park, and Hockanum Park to kids and teens Monday – Friday, now through August 6.
The locally available sites are as follows:
McAuliffe Park (located behind Anne E. Norris Elementary School. 40 Remington Road, East Hartford)
Breakfast: 8:30AM-9AM
Lunch: 12PM -12:30PM
Goodwin Park (1235 Forbes Street, East Hartford)
Monday – Friday
Breakfast: 9AM-9:30AM
Lunch: 11:45AM-12:15PM
Hockanum Park (320 High Street, East Hartford)
Breakfast: 9AM-9:30AM
Lunch: 11:30AM-12PM
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Meals are available to all children 18 and under, rain or shine. No registration or ID is required. For more information or to locate additional sites: text CTmeals to 877877, call 211, or click here.
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Transfer Station Accepting Brush & Vegetation from Tropical Storm Elsa for FREE
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The weather over the past weeks has caused a ton of downed brush and vegetation throughout our communities. The East Hartford Transfer Station will be accepting any brush and vegetation resulting from Tropical Storm Elsa for free Friday, July 16 through Friday, July 23. No bulky waste permit will be required for bringing brush to the transfer station during this time period. For more information or for the transfer station hours, click here.
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Applications Open for Manchester Fire Rescue EMS
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Manchester Fire Rescue EMS is looking for the next generation of firefighters! An all hazards, ALS fire department, the Manchester Fire Rescue EMS is an 80-member, full time department that responds to more than 10,000 calls annually from 5 stations. Applications are open now through September 10, to apply click here or call (860) 647-3126. Interested but looking for more information? Connecticut a recruiter today via social media.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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Get rewarded for doing your part to support the public health of our communities! All summer, CT is offering so many opportunities to get rewarded for getting the vaccine – check it out: Check it out: "Make a Splash, Get Vaxxed," "CT Food On Us," and "CT Fun on Us."
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On Sunday, July 18, 9:30AM-3:30PM, stop by the CT DPH COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Connecticut Science Center to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and get treated to "CT Fun on US" with free admission to the Science Center for getting the vaccine. Learn more by clicking here.
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The Town of East Hartford will host pop-up vaccine clinics on Friday, July 16, 4PM – 8PM and Saturday, July 17, 11AM – 4PM at Putnam Bridge Plaza (between Shop Rite and TJ Maxx). No appointment required, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson will be offered.
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For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, at 877-918-2224.
For East Hartford-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here. And, for Manchester-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here.
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Manchester Public Library will be hosting CT DEEP Wildlife expert, Ginny Apple on Monday, July 19 at 7PM to discuss Connecticut's owl population. This is a free, in-person program – no registration required. For more information, click here.
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Henry Olivo of Dimensional Dance will perform and teach the basics of breakdancing in this interactive program offered by Whiton Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 21 at 6:30PM. Best for children ages 5-11. Registration is required and open now, to register call Whiton at (860) 643-6892. For more information, click here.
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Manchester Recreation Division will host Moon-Lit Yoga in the Park led by Barbara Titus on Friday, July 23 at 6PM in Charter Oak Park. This is a free event, please bring your own mats. All levels and all ages are welcome! Learn more by clicking here.
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East Hartford Police Department will be hosting "Coffee with a Cop" on Tuesday, July 20 from 8AM – 10AM at the Police Department (303 Ellington Road). This is a great opportunity to meet the individuals committed to protecting our community. All are welcome, attendees are reminded to adhere to the state's mask protocol. For more information, click here.
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Attention teens interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)! Join East Hartford Public Library Tuesday, August 10 through Thursday, August 12 to hear from a diverse group of STEM professionals including representatives from the medical, engineering, and scientific fields. Learn about careers, conduct hands-on activities, and get excited about STEM! All are welcome, best for teens entering grades 7-12. Participants in this three-day, in-person program series will be required to wear masks and observe physical distancing. Registration is required, to register click here.
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Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The East Hartford Parks and Recreation office is offering discount tickets for both Six Flags and Lake Compounce. After registering for the Parks and Rec ticket club for a one-time $5 fee, your family can purchase as many tickets as you'd like through August 25. Tickets can be used for any day in the 2021 operating season (though the office strongly recommends calling ahead to ensure there are no park closures on the day you want to visit). For more information, click here.
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My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.
Sincerely,
Jason Rojas
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