Newsletter 12/30/21

newyear
January 3, 2022

Happy New Year! I hope that this year brings happiness, health, peace and prosperity to you and your family.

As I wrap up my first year serving Fairfield and Southport, I am so grateful to have been your State Representative and I look forward to returning to the Capitol in 2022 to continue to advocate for our community and state. This year has been extremely challenging in multiple ways and I’ve been so proud of the many, many ways our community has continued to show up for one another. I maintain hope that 2022 will bring more togetherness and normalcy. Below please find information on:

  • COVID test kit distribution 
  • New Laws in 2022
  • Earned Income Tax Credit Boost
 
COVID Test Kit Distribution 

The distribution of COVID self-test kits has been postponed due to a shipment delay that is outside of the State's control. Fairfield’s Emergency Management Team does a fantastic job organizing, facilitating, and communicating and will share the updated plans as soon as they receive all applicable information. If you are not signed up to receive the First Selectwoman’s updates you can do that here and if you’re not signed up to receive the town’s emergency notifications you can do that here or by texting ‘FairfieldCT’ to ‘888777’ to register.

Once the Emergency Management Team announces the new plan for distribution, I will also share that information with you. Click here for more information on the delay. 

Please click the link below to locate a testing site near you:
2-1-1 Connecticut
 
New Laws in 2022
I wanted to make you aware of a few new laws that will take effect in Connecticut at the start of the new year. My colleagues and I worked hard during the 2021 legislative session to listen to your concerns and advocate for meaningful progress in our state. We look forward to getting back to the Capitol soon to continue in those efforts.
Parentage Act
  • This is about equity in our laws. The Connecticut Parentage Act (PA 21-15) provides equal treatment under the law to children born to same-sex couples and modernizes the definitions and other legal provisions relating to parenting and maternity.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

  • PA 19-15 is a gamechanger for families.  Applications are already being accepted at ctpaidleave.org, where you can explore details of the groundbreaking family and medical leave program.

Insulin Costs

  • PA 20-4 targets price gouging for life-saving insulin. We cap 30-day supplies of insulin at $25 and cap costs on supplies such as syringes, pumps, and blood sugar meters at $100 a month for people who have coverage through state-regulated insurance plans.

Health Equity

  • PA 21-57 recognizes that certain medical devices are more likely to provide more inaccurate readings for individuals of color than individuals who are white. The Department of Public Health will develop educational materials on pulse oximeters (electronic devices that detect blood oxygen levels) to ensure that healthcare providers are aware of this critical information.

 

Click here for a complete list of laws that will go into effect on Jan. 1.
 
Earned Income Tax Credit Boost 
Nearly 2,000 Connecticut families will be getting a tax credit boost. Governor Lamont has directed the Department of Revenue Services to increase the 2020 EITC from 23% of the federal credit to 41.5% to support those impacted by the pandemic. Households that earned up to $56,844 and applied for the 2020 EITC will be issued checks by the end of February. The enhanced credit will be covered by the last portion of the State's $1.38 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund. Continuing to reduce poverty in our state is one of the most effective upstream interventions we can implement to prevent crime.

Click here for more information.