Rep. Delany Legislative Update 2/17

February 17, 2022

My name is Hubert Delany and I have been elected to serve as our state representative for the 144th District. I am thrilled to represent you. Your voice is important to me, and I want to hear from you.

As an elected official, I promise to do my utmost to uphold your faith in our constitution and in our government. I believe that It is my responsibility to enhance, and not erode the public's faith in the integrity of this office.

Since I have been sworn in, I have gotten right into the swing of things.

Last week, the House of Representatives met for a vote last Thursday on extending Governor Lamont's emergency powers. In a vote, 86 to 62, we voted to codify those orders.

For the last two years of this pandemic, the Governor has worked closely with experts to make informed and rapid decisions. We are now confident that these established experts grasp the ever-changing virus and can regain control without executive assistance.

Our vote recognized that the pandemic is not yet over, and there is a continued need for multiple resources offered under the current executive orders. We have prioritized this assistance for the public by voting to remain in/declare a continued state of emergency while also implementing sunset provisions to transition safely into our new sense of normalcy.

On Monday, the Senate took the same vote. The vote included two items (one resolution and one bill) which there may be some confusion. Below is a summary where I address questions you may have and hopefully clarify any uncertainty.

Click here for a summary.

Stamford is Lifting the City-Wide Mask Mandate

Starting yesterday February 16th, the city-wide mask mandate is lifted for the City of Stamford. With guidance from the Acting Stamford Director of Health, the recommendation from the Office of the Superintendent is that students and staff will be required to wear masks while inside all school buildings through Tuesday, March 15.

Beginning on Wednesday, March 16, mask wearing will be highly recommended - but no longer required - for all staff and students. Further information will be shared after the Board of Education holds its meeting on Wednesday, February 23.

AHCT Covered Connecticut
Special Enrollment Period now through June 30

The Covered Connecticut Program pays the customer’s portion of the monthly payment (premium) directly to their insurance company. The program also covers the cost-sharing amounts residents normally would have to pay with a health insurance plan, including co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs.

To qualify for the Covered Connecticut Program, Connecticut residents must:

  • meet income requirements
  • be a parent or caretaker relative with children in the household that are under age 19 (if the children are age 18 or older, they must be full-time students in secondary school)
  • use all the financial help available through Access Health CT
  • be enrolled in an eligible Silver level health insurance plan.

To determine if you are eligible, have your questions answered and enroll in the Covered Connecticut Program during this Special Enrollment Period, call the Access Health CT Covered Connecticut Program hotline at 860-241-8478, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Coverage begins on the first of the month following enrollment so, if, for example, a person enrolls on February 5, their coverage begins on March 1.

Click here for more information

Connecticut Right to Counsel Program

Connecticut has launched a statewide Right to Counsel (RTC) program that will make available attorneys FREE to eligible tenants at risk of eviction.

The Connecticut Bar association is operating the program and working with the state's legal services to provide attorneys to those in need. Right to Counsel will begin working in fourteen neighborhoods across eight municipalities.

These locations were selected first because they are eviction hot spots in Connecticut, with about 25% of eviction filings statewide brought against tenants in those neighborhoods.

Right to Counsel service will also be immediately available to individuals who served in the armed forces regardless of location. The program will expand to other areas across the state over the next two years.

Click here to learn more.

Energy and Utility Cost Assistance

If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8585 if you ever need anything or by email at hubert.delany@cga.ct.gov.