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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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CT House Passes Bipartisan Budget
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On Tuesday, we passed a $46.4 billion bipartisan, biennium budget with a $2.3 billion surplus that maintains tax breaks for working families, helps jumpstart our economy, and invests in our cities and towns, nonprofits and working families.
We also kept our commitment to funding local schools – ensuring we give towns predictability by honoring our formula for state grants, and ensuring no town receives less than it got the year before.
Our 2022-2023 Biennium budget:
- Rejects tax hikes on gasoline, insurance policies and large Connecticut home properties
- Increases the state's earned income tax credit to 30.5% of the federal credit
- Eliminates the admissions tax as of July 1, 2021
- Maintains our historic balance in the state's $3.5 billion Rainy-Day Fund
- Increases town aid and fairly funds Education Cost Sharing (ECS)
- Expands healthcare for 40,000 residents and families
- Supports small businesses and minority-owned businesses
- Expands workforce training so that we can get people back to work
- Fully funds debt-free community college
- Includes relief for arts, culture and tourism
In addition, we listened to many of you and provided increased funding for hospitals and local health departments in response to COVID-19. We included additional resources to those on the frontlines of the pandemic including nursing homes, prisons, schools and nonprofit providers. We are also delivering the necessary tools for state agencies to safely reopen and serve our residents.
As we recover emotionally and financially from the pandemic, adopt a balanced state budget, and move forward with a wide variety of accomplishments this session, I am optimistic that Connecticut is coming back stronger than ever before.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Legalization of Adult Recreational Cannabis Heads to a Special Session
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With limited time left on the clock of the 2021 regular legislative session to pass legislation legalizing the use of cannabis for adult recreational use before the constitutionally-required adjournment at midnight on Wednesday, we made the decision to revisit the legislation in a special session. The road to legalization has been long and filled with obstacles, but I've been proud to lead the working group to develop a bill that ensures this is a safe product. The passage of this legislation is long overdue, taking significant steps towards rebuilding the communities harmed the most by the enforcement of a cannabis prohibition and towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Historic Investment in Equity
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Alongside my colleagues in the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, we worked hard this session to develop the Community Investment Fund 2030, a significant and comprehensive investment in historically underserved and marginalized communities. The Fund will provide direct access to capital projects and funding.
It is my hope that this program will invest in both infrastructure and people to make Connecticut’s cities vibrant and healthy communities.
Oversight is provided by the Community Investment Fund 2030 Board, a group more connected to the community than traditional bonding through the State Bond Commission.
When you combine our equity investment fund with a bipartisan state budget that increases education and overall state funding, invests in healthcare and nursing homes and cuts taxes to working families by increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit to 30.5% of the federal credit (up from 23%) – we have a lot to celebrate.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Today in CT History: UConn's 1st Black Basketball Player
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Harrison “Honey” Fitch (1912 – June 11, 1984), the first Black basketball player for the University of Connecticut, and at the time the only Black student, had already earned the nickname “Honey” for his smooth play at Hillhouse High in New Haven. Popular and talented, he became a three-sport athlete his freshman year (football, basketball and baseball), and was voted by students as the school’s best athlete.
Learn more about Harrison "Honey" Fitch here.
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Temperatures are Rising throughout the State - Beat the Heat!
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Temperatures climbed across the state this week as we experienced the first official heat wave of the season. With summer weather officially in our sights, it's a good time to refresh yourself on how to stay cool and safe while enjoying the sun! On especially hot days like we saw this week, it's important to remember to drink water throughout the day, keep clothing loose or lightweight, limit time outdoors, and monitor those vulnerable to the heat (infants, kids, elderly, and physically ill) – be sure to wear the appropriate SPF too.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are no joke – CDC estimates around 618 people in the US are killed by extreme heat every year. Knowing the sign and symptoms of heat-related illness are critical to preventing tragedy. During extreme heat or heat waves, be sure to look out for:
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- Headache
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Hot, flushed, and dry skin
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- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Low Pulse Rate
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin
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And, remember – look before you lock!
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If you believe you or someone else is experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, seek medical help immediately by calling 911.
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Get Rewarded for Summer Reading
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At East Hartford Public Library, get ready to "Play, Make, Explore, Read" with the 2021 summer incentive reading program! Beginning on June 14, adults, teens, school-aged children, and preschoolers can start logging their reading into the library's mobile-friendly online system to earn points and prizes. The library summer reading program also counts towards the Governor’s Summer Reading challenge, a project of the Connecticut State Library and the CT Department of Education. To register for summer reading, click here and click on "Summer Reading" on the menu on the left side of the website. To get more info, click here.
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With t-shirts folded, special programs scheduled, prizes selected, Manchester Public Library is ready to kick off their 2021 summer reading program, "Tails & Tales" focusing on animals. Summer Reading starts:
Adult: Monday June 14
Children: Thursday June 17
Teen: Monday June 21
To get more information about collecting prizes, special events, and more, click here.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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The Community Health Center vaccine clinic at the Pratt & Whitney Airfield in East Hartford is accepting walk-up appointments Monday - Saturday, 9AM - 3PM. You are encouraged to bring ID and a medical insurance card, but this is not required. The East Hartford Health Department will also continue to offer vaccinations to medically homebound residents. Homebound residents should fill out this form or call the Health Department at (860) 291-7324.
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Bangladesh Bhaban Community Center (9 Delmont Street) in Manchester will be extending their COVID-19 vaccine clinics through the month of June. No appointment, ID, or insurance required, walk-ins are welcome! Vaccinations for children aged 12-15 are now available. For more information, contact MD Rahman at (860) 597-4669.
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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.
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Need a ride? Lyft and Uber will be offering a ride to and from a vaccine site for free until July 4. To learn more click here or here.
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Join Manchester Public Library on Saturday, June 12 at 12:30PM for the June edition of "Recipe Readers." Each month a theme, author or website will be chosen. Participants are asked to pick one recipe and come to the zoom program with dish in hand on the date posted ready to discuss their experience. This month the Recipe Readers explores: “101 Cookbooks." There will be a cooking demo. Registration is required for this free virtual event by calling the library at 860-645-0821, participants will be e-mailed a link for the Zoom event. For more information call Reference and Adult Services at 860-645-0821. Learn more here.
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On Saturday, June 12 from 10AM-2PM, WORK_SPACE will be hosting another 2nd Saturday for viewing the gallery. This month, WORK_SPACE will feature the artist Jaii Marc Renee, who will be onsite to creating works of art. Have questions or need more information? Call (860) 647-3168.
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Registration is now open for a unique program from Manchester Public Library and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection happening Saturday, June 24 at 10:30AM! "Who Pooped in the Park?" will feature a representative from the DEEP who will teach children how to identify animal droppings, tracks, and other remains of animals in Connecticut. This program is recommended for ages 4 and up. Registration is required and begins on June 14 by calling 860-645-0577. Learn more here.
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Who says marshmallows are only for toasting? Sign up to make some tasty creative creatures with East Hartford Public Library. If you want to do the event with the library and catch up with your friends, there will be an optional Zoom meeting on Wednesday, June 16, at 3:30PM. You will receive an e-mail when kits are ready to be picked up! Activity is best for youth entering grades 6 – 12. This program includes food, items or ingredients available upon request.
To register, click here.
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East Hartford Parks & Recreation is back with summer camps this year and they will be bigger than better than ever before, thanks to a collaboration with East Hartford Public Library, East Hartford Youth Services and East Hartford Police Department to offer new enrichment programs. Camps will be offered for East Harford residents ages 3-15 and run Monday through Friday, from 8AM-4PM beginning June 21.
Registration is now open and can be found here. For additional information, click here.
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Become a member of the Advisory Committee for East Hartford Greater Together Community Fund and help make a difference in your community! The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established community funds for each of the 29 towns in the foundation's regions (including East Hartford), to support residents and encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement. These funds will be managed by an advisory committee, consisting of East Hartford residents.
As a member of the advisory committee, responsibilities would include identifying community needs and designing a grantmaking process to ensure that these funds have the greatest impact for the benefit of town residents.
Applications are open now through July 2. To apply and 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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