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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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This week, the House sent a powerful piece of legislation to the Governor’s desk. S.B. 1 declares that racism is a public health crisis in our state.
Earlier this year, the CDC issued a statement which declared, in part, that “racism, both structural and interpersonal, are fundamental causes of health inequities, health disparities and disease.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted the wide health and quality of life disparities in communities of color. Studies have shown that Black women are up to four times more likely to die of pregnancy related complications than white women; Black men are more than twice as likely to be killed by police as white men; and the average life expectancy of Black Americans is four years lower than the rest of the U.S. population.
It is long past time that we address these disparities.
Beyond identifying the racism as a public health crisis, S.B. 1 also includes a number of provisions aimed at addressing and combatting this public health crisis such as:
- Creating a Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health to make recommendations to decrease racism’s effect on public health and to create a strategic plan to eliminate health disparities and inequities
- Increasing recruitment and retention of healthcare workers of color
- Providing employers with tools to support their mental health needs
- Establishing a gun violence intervention and prevention committee
- Improving demographic data collection
I was proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this comprehensive bill which takes substantive steps towards addressing the systemic inequities that exist in our state.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Lawmakers and State Leaders Celebrate Signing of Connecticut Parentage Act
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Lawmakers, state leaders, and advocates celebrated the start of Pride Month on June 1 with a ceremonial signing of the Connecticut Parentage Act. This bill addresses gaps in current statute that leave families vulnerable and children behind. It will protect Connecticut's wide diversity of family structures regardless of a child's circumstances of birth, or parents' marital status, gender, or sexual orientation. The legislation enables LGBTQ+ parents, unmarried and non-biological parents to establish parentage at the time of birth.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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House Updates "Bottle Bill"
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Thursday, the House of Representatives took action on modernizing Connecticut's bottle deposit program to encourage residents to recycle and keep our beautiful parks, beaches and streets clean.
Connecticut's original bottle bill was enacted in 1978 and was one of the most progressive anti-litter laws of its time. While the program worked extremely well in its early years, the law has since become outdated and return rates have dropped below 50%.
S.B. 1037, An Act Concerning Solid Waste Management, includes a number of provisions aimed at updating the bottle deposit program and increasing redemption, such as:
- 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.
I am proud to support this legislation because it is a common-sense modernization of the bottle deposit program that will go a long way towards cleaning up our communities, reducing waste, and providing people in cities and towns across Connecticut with greater access to redemption facilities.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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It's time to license your dogs!
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Reminder! June is dog licensing month! All dogs in the State of Connecticut six months or older must be licensed each year in the Town where they reside in the month of June by State Statute. The license is in effect from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
Along with a dog licensing fee – a current rabies certificate is required for all dogs and a neutered/spayed certificate is required for dogs that will be licensed for the first time or if recently neutered or spayed.
For more details and the most up-to-date info on COVID restrictions at the Town Clerk's offices, click here for Manchester and click here for East Hartford.
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Construction Alert: Intersection Improvement Project Rt. 2 in East Hartford
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) began road construction at the intersection of Broad Street and Main Street in East Hartford on Tuesday, June 1. Lane closures for secondary roads including Broad Street and Main Street may occur Monday to Friday from 9AM to 3PM or Saturday from 6PM to 6AM and Sunday from 6PM to 10AM.
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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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Webster Bank, the Hartford Marathon Foundation, Bike Walk Bolton, and the Town of Manchester will host the Manchester Youth Bike Safety Rodeo, a free youth bike safety course for Manchester residents 5-12 years old, on Saturday, June 12 at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, or 11:00 AM. During the hour-long course, kids will learn about proper helmet fitting, bike safety check, obstacle avoidance, and more! Participants will receive a new helmet & bike bell, report card, certificate of completion, and other fun swag all compliments of Webster Bank! Capacity is capped at 50 kids, so register early to reserve your spot. To register click here. If you require additional information, contact matt@hartfordmarathon.com.
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Celebrate Connecticut's trails this weekend! The Connecticut Forest & Parks Association is sponsoring over 180 events for Connecticut Trails Day 2021 tomorrow and Sunday, June 6. Click the button below to find events near you. Read more here.
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Looking for summer plans for your elementary school student? The Family Resource Center Summer Playgroups will be meeting at Mayberry School (101 Great Hill Road) select dates in July at 10AM. Choose your day of the week! Thursdays will be outdoors in person, every age two or above will be required to wear a mask and playgroup will be weather permitting. Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be virtual. To register, please call (860) 622-5515.
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On Thursday, June 10, at 6:00 p.m., the East Hartford Public Library makerspace will be making garden sculptures! Residents will help design the sculptures and once they sculptures are completed, participants can take one home to paint and plant in their garden. Some paper, pencils and your imagination is all that's needed. Click the button below to register. For more events, 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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