Newsletter 6/17/2022

June 18, 2022
Dear Neighbor,

Happy Juneteenth!

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the official end of slavery in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation became effective on January 1, 1863, the news took over two and a half years to make its way around the country. As such, it was not until June 19, 1865, when the Union army brought word of the proclamation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, making them among the last to be freed. It is an important holiday that went unrecognized for far too long, but through activism and education, many communities now celebrate Juneteenth and understand its importance in American history.

During the 2022 legislative session, several of my colleagues spoke passionately on the House floor on why Connecticut needed to make Juneteenth a legal state holiday. The bill received bipartisan support and was recently signed into law next to a replica of the slave ship, Amistad, by Governor Lamont

It's important to remember and reflect on the painful parts of our history to ensure that we learn from them, don't repeat them, and continue to grow as a nation. As we celebrate Juneteenth and acknowledge its significance in moving this country forward, we must not forget the darkness that accompanied that part of our history. Our country has come a long way, but there is more work to do as inequality and racism still exist.

 

You can learn more about the history of Juneteenth here.

 
Time to Own Program

This week, Governor Lamont launched an exciting new program for young people and first-time homebuyers in Connecticut! In coordination with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Time To Own loan program is funded with $20 million that was allocated for homebuyer assistance by the State Bond Commission in December. Here are some of the many benefits.

  • 0% Interest rate with no monthly payment required.  
  • Ten percent (10%) of the principal balance will be forgiven annually, on the anniversary date of the loan closing, until the loan is fully forgiven on the tenth anniversary.   
  • Financing to cover up to 20% down payment and up to 5% closing costs.
  • Loan amounts up to $50,000 for homes located in High or Very High Opportunity Areas (per State of CT Opportunity Map)
  • Loan amounts up to $25,000 for homes located in areas other than High or Very High Opportunity Areas.

The Time to Own loan is based on several eligibility requirements, including the borrower’s financial needs, their ability to repay their mortgage obligations, and their eligibility under CHFA’s First-Time Homebuyer Program, which is open to new homebuyers or those who have not owned a home in the last three years. Applications are now open! Click below to learn more. 

Information on Time to Own
 
15 Unquowa  Road Development Proposal 

As many of you know, a housing development has proposed at 15 Unquowa Road. As the Co-Chair of the Main Street Working Group, I know how essential it is for developers to work with the town and community when they want to develop within the Main Street corridor. Main Street development, like what is currently proposed at 15 Unquowa Rd next to the beautifully restored community theater, has the potential to significantly alter the aesthetic and charm of the heart of our downtown. I’m disappointed that the 15 Unquowa proposal is not more sensitive to the significance of how its design could alter our central business district and it’s unique New England charm and scale.

While I don’t typically make statements about town-level proposals, I felt that this issue was corresponded with my legislative priorities. I serve as a Co-Chair of the Main Street Working Group, a collective that works specifically with municipalities regarding their Main Street development. I was also the only legislator in the General Assembly to co-sponsor SB-169 before its public hearing - a bill that would study the impacts of 8-30g on communities.

I am asking that the developers take the concerns and suggestions of our TPZ commissioners very seriously and return with a proposal that will positively contribute to our downtown and community. The developers must recognize that this is the heart of our town and they have a responsibility to take extra care and caution with this project. I’m disappointed that the  proposal is not more sensitive to the significance of how its design could alter our central business district and it’s unique New England charm and scale.

The next meeting regarding this proposal will be on June 28th at 6:30pm at the Fire Training School at 205 Richard White Way. You can learn more about the proposal here.

Red Flag Laws 
In 1999, Connecticut led the charge in gun control reform by  passing the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) or “Red Flag Law”. The Red Flag Law allows concerned family members to have firearms removed from the homes of loved ones who pose a risk to themselves or others.

During the 2021 session, my colleagues and I passed legislation to strengthen the law by expanding the number of people who have the right to trigger an ERPO investigation and growing the list of professionals who are empowered to intervene. These new changes went into effect on June 1 and Connecticut will be safer for it. To learn more about how these laws save lives, visit this link.

DOT Tree Cutting on I-95 in Fairfield and Southport

Many residents have expressed concerns about the DOT tree cutting that has been occurring between exits 19-26, on I-95. Please know that I share all of your concerns and I am just as appalled by what is happening. I’ve been fighting with DOT on this specific issue for weeks and am extremely frustrated with the process, their lack of notice and their response.
 
Below you will find a letter that I just sent several weeks ago to the Commissioner of DOT asking for a stop to the clearcutting recognizing the very real and devastating impact this will have specifically to the Henderson neighborhood and several others along the I-95 corridor.

In the letter I mention the importance that vegetation plays in terms or providing a natural noise and sight barrier for I-95 as well as helping to improve air quality. I further mentioned that any scope of tree cutting work should be limited to only diseased or dying trees.

Current law, PA 14-151, only requires notification and homeowner approval when trees are cut on private property and fall outside the utility protection zone of more than 8 feet off of power lines for work done by utilities. It does not include notification requirements for hazardous trees cut alongside state highways that might border homes. I have followed up on a request for an onsite meeting with the DOT Maintenance Bureau Chief to get more answers and show them the very real impact of their policy.

My colleagues and I are having conversations about reintroducing legislation similar to HB 6123An Act Requiring The Development Of Vegetation And Tree Removal Management Guidelines By The Department Of Transportation from 2017, which passed the House, but not the Senate. The legislation would have required certain requirements of DOT when removing trees on highways.  

In this legislation, I would like to see additional requirements including notification to homeowners with property that borders along the state highway, adding the benefits that tree and vegetation have in providing natural noise and visual barriers as part of the criteria for vegetation management plans, stipulating that only dead, damaged or diseased trees can be removed and also requiring the replanting of healthy trees be included as a part of DOT’s budget for healthy forest management.

Again, thank you to all those who have reached out with concern and I hope to share more information in the very near future.

Beach Talk Next Saturday 
Please join me next Saturday, June 25 to enjoy the weather and our beautiful beach and share with me issues that are important to you. I will be at Jennings Beach at J5 and available to discuss any legislative and local issues. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office. 
Happy Father's Day!

This past session, I was proud to bring out the CT Fatherhood Initiative. This legislation invests in building and supporting the relationships between fathers and children. It expands on the existing program by formalizing an Office of the CT Fatherhood Initiative within the Department of Social Services. It makes funds available to support fathers working to reconnect with their children and reengage with their families across the state. It also expands the focus of the work from child support repayment and medical care to also classes on parenting, job training, communication, and programs that allow fathers and children to bond. 

This legislation was voted on unanimously by both the House and Senate. We all recognize how important it is for fathers to have meaningful relationships with their children whenever possible and I am confident the Fatherhood Initiative will foster more of them. 

To all who father, I'm wishing you all a wonderful Father's Day!