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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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Governor Signs Bill to Expand & Protect Access to Reproductive Healthcare
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On Tuesday, Governor Ned Lamont, joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and community advocates, signed HB 5414 – the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act into law. The legislation makes two critical changes to expand and protect access to abortion services: expanding the number of medical specialists allowed to preform abortion services and shields medical providers and patients seeking abortion care who may have traveled to Connecticut from another where it is outlawed.
The signing comes at a time when the threat to abortion services has never been clearer – states across the country have enacted draconian laws to end access to abortions, it's likely the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming weeks and members of the U.S. Senate are actively looking into a nationwide abortion ban should Roe fall.
Connecticut has remained a leader on this issue, continuously working to ensure that patients have the access to make the choice that is best for them. More than 30 years ago, the state codified Roe v. Wade in statutes. But, in signing this legislation, the state is leading the way with what is now one of the strongest protections to reproductive health care access.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Connecticut Clean Air Act Signed into Law
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Comprehensive legislation to address Connecticut's transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions was signed into law by Governor Lamont this week. Known as the "Connecticut Clean Air Act," SB 4 will help to accelerate the state's expansion and use of electric vehicles. With this legislation, Connecticut joins neighboring states that have already adopted similar emissions standards, including Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.
The transportation sector is responsible for 67 percent of the emissions of nitrogen oxides, a key component of smog – and the largest source of statewide greenhouse gas emissions at 37 percent. Reducing these rates is critical to improving our air – and ultimately the quality of life in Connecticut.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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CT Becomes 5th State to Enact Data Privacy Law
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With SB 6 officially signed into law, Connecticut is now the 5th state to enact a consumer privacy law. Taking effect on July 1, 2023, Connecticut consumers will have the option to see which companies are collecting their personal data and opt out of sales or sharing of their information – and consumers under the age of 16 would have to opt in to data collection.
Through this legislation, consumers will have the ability opt out of collection of benign data but requires that consumer opt in for the collection of sensitive data. The bill doesn't completely limit a company's ability to collect information. Data collection for companies is permitted only for the improvement of their products and if that data is not shared with third parties.
The bill will also create a working group so that this issue can continued to be monitored, and to make recommendations if further action is required.
I would like to know, what do you think of this issue?
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Today in CT History: The Electric Car Debuts in Hartford in 1897.
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Today in 1897, outside his factory in Hartford, successful bicycle manufacturer Albert Augustus Pope unveiled what he considered to be the future of the automobile industry: the battery-powered Columbia Motor Carriage. It was the first demonstration of a mass-produced electric car in American history.
Weighing in at 1800 pounds and reaching a top speed of 15 miles per hour, the Columbia Motor Carriage thrilled crowds of onlookers as it effortlessly powered up steeply inclined city roads, unhindered by muddy road conditions. The next day, the Hartford Courant published a rave review of the vehicle under the headline “HORSELESS ERA COMES,” noting that even first-time drivers could “manage and turn [the vehicles] about with as much comfort and success as they would have in driving the gentlest horse.”
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Pope’s automotive success, however, was relatively short-lived. Electricity was a pricey commodity, and most rural areas didn’t have access to an electrical grid, limiting the appeal of electric cars to those who lived near a city center and could afford an expensive utilities bill. Furthermore, technological advances in the earliest years of the 20th century rendered internal combustion engines much safer and cheaper than ever before, resulting in cheaper gasoline-powered cars overtaking the automobile market. Even after several attempts to adjust to market demand — including dramatically increasing production of gas-powered vehicles — Pope couldn’t compete with automobile factories like Ford, which had solely invested in gas-powered cars from the beginning, and the Columbia Electric Vehicle Company (since renamed the Columbia Motor Car Company) folded in 1912.
If you'd like to learn more about the electric cars' debut in Hartford and other interesting CT historical facts, click here.
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Manchester High School Receives State Funding to Support Manufacturing Program
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On Wednesday, I was thrilled to join Governor Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, members of the Manchester legislative delegation, and community partners to celebrate a $390,000 grant awarded to the Manchester Board of Education. The grant will support the purchase of new equipment and the further development of the Manchester High School Manufacturing Program.
Our community has a long and proud history of supporting the state’s manufacturing sector, and this funding will ensure that our programs remain state-of-the-art to continue training a pool of talented and skilled workers.
A huge thank you to my colleagues, especially State Representative Jason Doucette, for working to secure this funding.
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Keeping Children Safe Online: Social Media Informational Session
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The East Hartford CONNects Resident Advisory Council in partnership with the YWCA New Britain Sexual Assault Crisis Service, will be hosting a Social Media Informational Session, on Monday, May 16 at 6:30PM via Zoom.
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Throughout the conversation, participants will learn about some of the most popular social media apps that young people are interacting with, as well as examine safety features and potential dangers online. Caregivers will receive resources and conversation starters for setting online boundaries with youth as well.
For questions or concerns, please contact Alyssa DAmato at adamato@ywcanewbritain.org, (860) 225-4681 ext. 520 or Yadira Jeter at Yjeter@easthartfordct.gov, (860) 290-4345 Press "2." Register for the webinar by clicking here.
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Save the Date: Manchester's Juneteenth Freedom Day Commemoration
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The Town of Manchester will be hosting its second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Commemoration on Saturday, June 18 from 4PM-7PM at the Mahoney Center's Leisure Labs (110 Cedar Street). Join your neighbors in a celebration of Juneteenth, Black History, and culture.
Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day that Union soldiers marched into Galveston, Texas, and enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in Texas. This came nearly three years after President Abraham Lincoln had proclaimed that they: “Shall be then, thenceforward, and forever, free.” This year’s event will feature thoughtful speakers, live music, poetry readings, a black-owned food & vendor market, family activities, and more!
Manchester's Juneteenth Freedom Day Commemoration is made possible through a collaboration between the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation and its community partners. For more information, click here.
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Time to Register for Summer Camp!
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Summer in East Hartford will be full of summer camp programs, swim lessons, and plenty of outdoor pool programming! East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 20 – each camp will run for 7 weeks and are open to East Hartford residents only. Camps will be held at their regular locations, with each site designated to serving a specific age group:
- Little Rec'cers Camp (4.5-6.5 years old) – Goodwin Park/Goldstar Park and Pitkin School on inclement weather days)
- Fun Day Camp (6.5-9.5 years old) – Gorman Park/Lord Pool and O’Connell School during inclement weather
- Explorers Camp (9.5-12.5 years old) – McAuliffe Park/Drennan Pool and Norris School during inclement weather
- Teen Adventure Camp (12.5-15.5 old) – Hockanum Park/Terry Pool and Hockanum School during inclement weather
- Camp Sunburst (for participants with special needs ages 6-21) – McAuliffe Park/Drennan Pool and Norris School during inclement weather
Registration is open now! To register, click here – reminder that camps are only available to East Hartford residents. If you have any questions or just need more info, call the Parks and Recreation offices at (860) 291-7160.
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For Manchester residents – camp registration is open now! The Manchester Recreation Division will be offering Summer Day Camps for children ages 5-13 from June 27 to August 5, 9AM-3PM; there will be (3) two-week sessions offered with options for morning and evening extended care (children must have already completed kindergarten to attend).
In addition to Summer Day Camps, the town is offering the Recreation Leader in Training Program for 15 years olds. This program is designed to train youth to be future leaders and provide them the opportunity for possible future employment with the Manchester Recreation Division's Summer Aquatics or Summer Camp program. Click here to learn more about these programs and register today.
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Stop by the 1st Annual Trade/Construction Career Fair on May 31
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Ever wonder how break into a trade? Get all the information at the 1st Annual Trade/Construction Career Fair at the Manchester High School Cafeteria on Tuesday, May 31, 4PM-7PM. Learn more about registered apprenticeship programs and unionized trade readiness programs – industry experts will be on hand to break down the opportunities available through Bowers Elementary School Construction Project Labor Agreement.
Come prepared with an eagerness to network and gather information, and a resume. Please use the Manchester High School Brookfield Street parking lot/entrance. If you have any questions or require additional information, contact Capitol Workforce Partners Program Director at (860) 899-3448 or Manchester Public Schools Technical Education Director Beth Hayes at (860) 436-8904.
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East Hartford FiberCity Groundbreaking
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There has been A LOT of talk in our community regarding the East Hartford FiberCity project that will bring super-fast internet to East Hartford. The Town of East Hartford will host a groundbreaking ceremony at Veteran's Memorial Clubhouse (100 Sunset Ridge Drive) on Tuesday, May 17 at 10AM.
East Hartford FiberCity is more than just a superfast fiber connection to homes and businesses. It will futureproof your city for generations to come, boost its economy and enable Smart City applications to make for a great place to live, work and play. For more information, click here.
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COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
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The best defense against COVID-19 continues to be a good offense. It's so important that we continue the precautions that have worked: observe social distancing, wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or indoors, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, get tested if you were in contact with anyone who's tested positive, etc. But, most importantly – please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't already or getting a booster if it's been six months since you're last COVID vaccine.
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With Griffin Hospital, the Town of East Hartford will host free COVID-19 vaccination clinics for all eligible CT residents ages 5 and older on the following dates:
- Tuesday, May 17, 3PM-7PM – Stone Academy (745 Burnside Avenue)
- Wednesday, May 25, 4PM-7PM – Raymond Library
- Tuesday, May 31, 3PM-7PM – Stone Academy
Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson will be available – no insurance, ID, or appointment required. If you have any questions or require additional information, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation assistance is needed to get to/from the clinic site, please contact the Health Department for a bus pass.
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East Hartford Residents – rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits and N95 respirators are still available for pick up at the East Hartford Health Department for East Hartford residents. Due to limited supply, the testing kits are for intended for symptomatic or exposed individuals only. Please call the Health Department at (860) 291-7324 to reserve a test kit today (limit is one per household). Please note that if you are currently experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the town asks that you request curbside pick-up at the Town Hall.
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Additionally, East Hartford’s vulnerable town residents and/or those with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to obtain the N95 masks or rapid antigen test kits should contact the Town of East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. Written requests for a reasonable accommodation may be sent to health@easthartfordct.gov. Please be advised there is a limit of one test kit per household.
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A reminder for those that don't want to carry around their paper CDC cards or who lost them, CT residents can now utilize "SMART Health Cards" to securely show proof of being vaccinated. The digital card can be obtained via a QR code that you can find here. To get more info on SMART Health Cards, or how to access them and download to your smartphone device, click here.
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For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here or locate a DPH Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic by clicking 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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For the 2nd year, Downtown Manchester will celebrate the start of our Summer Downtown with a Spring Butterfly Stroll on Saturday, May 14 from 10AM-2PM. Join the Town of Manchester as they celebrate our businesses and our community! Take a stroll down Main Street to view Spring and Butterfly-Inspired Creations on display in our planters. Local families, businesses and organizations created beautiful spring versions of Manchester's fall scarecrow festival. Come on down and vote for your favorite, plus enjoy crafts, games, vendors, and more! For more information, click here.
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Join WORK_SPACE for an hour of stories and discussion with drag performers sharing insights from their life on and off the stage on Saturday, May 14, 2PM-3PM. The roundtable discussion will feature Mia E. Z’Lay, Rory Roux Lay, Ambrosia Black and moderated by Billie Lee, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at University of Hartford. WORK_SPACE invite members of the community to be part of the conversation. This is a free event; RSVP is not required but is appreciated! RSVP by clicking here.
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Join Dylan Napoleone, an avid fisher, in this all-skill level lecture at Manchester Public Library on Monday, May 16 at 6:30PM. Dylan will walk participants through everything to know about bass fishing here in CT. Plus, enjoy a demonstration and speak on gear, techniques and approaches, fishing in different seasons, and more. No registration required for this free program for adults.
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Spring has sprung and it's time for the East Hartford Hunger Action Team's Garden Bucket events! East Hartford Youth Service (EHYSB) is looking for individuals to help on Saturday, May 14 from 9AM-12PM at Goodwin Elementary School (1235 Forbes Street). Earn service-learning hours and help EHYSB plant all the buckets for our Garden Bucket sale in June.
Same day registration will be available at the event until 9:30AM. Can't make it today? A second event will be held on Friday, June 10, 3PM-7PM. If you have questions or require additional information, call (860) 291-7179 or email jking@easthartfordct.gov.
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Bring the kids to stretch, sing, dance, and explore music together at East Hartford Public Library! Meet outside on the lawn for musical fun on Tuesdays in May at 5:15PM. Bring your own shakers or borrow one of ours. Best suited for children ages 2-6 and their grownups, siblings are welcome.
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Calling East Hartford residents 55+ – don't forget to register for the Memorial Day Picnic! The event will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 12PM-2PM at the East Hartford Senior Center. Lunch will be served at noon. Enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, macaroni salad, baked beans, and cookies for dessert! Plus, musical entertainment will follow at 1:00 pm with a special performance from Ashly Cruz.
Seating is limited so be sure to reserve your spot. To register contact the Senior Center at (860) 291-7295, the event is $5. 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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