State Capitol update for the week of July 4th

July 8, 2022
Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of July 4th.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
 
With all of the challenges we face right now, this week I wanted to focus on some instances of effective advocacy based right here in CT. 
 
We had headlines this week of another incident of gun violence at a Fourth of July parade outside of Chicago, following a wave of gun violence in May and June, including two of the deadliest mass shootings so far this year.  It's hard to fathom how our values have landed us here, but I wanted to highlight that the recent federal legislation, breaking 30 years of inaction, came about largely because of advocacy that began in CT, growing out of the Sandyhook massacre of school children and teachers in 2012.  We now have anti-gun violence advocacy groups throughout the country that have real power, and we need to build on that. 
 
Another hometown hero to keep in mind is Catherine Roraback, the fiery civil rights lawyer who made Canaan her home and fought for women’s rights throughout her long life, arguing Griswold v. Connecticut all the way to the Supreme Court in 1965, establishing women’s right to use contraceptives.  The Northwest Corner had an impact then on reproductive healthcare, and I see strong evidence that it's ready to pick up that mantle again.
For More on Roraback
One final, and more localized, example came this week when the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) issued an interim ruling that denied Hartford Healthcare's request to shut down labor and delivery at Windham Hospital.  Advocates throughout the state, particularly in rural and underserved areas like ours, have been fighting to keep medical services available as hospital systems pull back services to larger hospitals.  The Supreme Court's overruling of Roe has highlighted a particular challenge.  CT's leadership can be rightly proud of legislative action to protect legal access to abortion in CT, but "choice" doesn't mean much if the full range of services are only available to some of the women in the state.  OHS's ruling is not final, and will likely be appealed, but it's a positive step, and our work in CT is having an effect.
 
Finally, a couple of notes on local wildlife.  There is cautious optimism about spongy moths.  It turns out that our spring was damp enough to have activated both a virus and a fungus that destroy the caterpillars, and we can now see loads of dead caterpillars everywhere.  The hope  is that enough of them have been killed, and therefore are not able to lay eggs, that we will be spared such an extensive outbreak next year.  The moths, however, can definitely be observed out and about in the region: the females (which are white) cannot fly, but the males (which are a dusty brown) are on the wing, looking for companionship.
For More Information
And more news on bears.  There have been a number of incidents of break-ins, and at least one car accident, in recent weeks.  Last night Salisbury passed a town ordinance banning the intentional feeding of bears, which several other towns have also done.  Feeding bears isn't good for these wild animals, and it certainly isn't good for your neighbors, so I hope that these ordinances help make that clear, and can begin to limit human-bear interactions and protect all of us.

And please, if a bear breaks into your home, gets into your garbage or birdfeeders, or threatens your livestock or crops, report it to DEEP.  You can do that here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/187a8a495d4e4ca497261d163d6fffc9?


 
Here is a list of today's topics:
  • COVID-19 Weekly Update Click here
  • Vaccine Clinic at Sharon Primary Care on July 12
    Click Here
  • CT Office of Health Strategy Denies Proposal to Shut-down  Obstetrics Services Windham Memorial Hospital Click Here
  • Infant Formula Shortage Fact Sheet Click Here
  • Northwest Corner Gives Click Here
  • Connecticut is recruiting businesses from states that are restricting reproductive healthcare
  • Click Here
  • Free Community College deadline July 15 Click Here
  • CT Department of Labor launches new unemployment system, ReEmployCT Click Here
  • DEEP public meeting introducing draft hazard tree policy on July 11Click Here
  • DEEP releases Request for Information for broadband infrastructure grant programs
    Click Here
  • Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase on July 14 Click Here
  • Connecticut's Primary Election is on August 9 Click Here
  • Providing information to Connecticut residents Click Here
COVID-19 weekly update
For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 

Vaccine Clinic at Sharon Primary Care on July 12

There will be a free pediatric (ages 6 months to 11 years) COVID Vaccine Clinic at Sharon Primary Care on Tuesday, July 12th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please see the fliers below for further information.

Sharon COVID Clinic 6mo to 11yr.pdf 

Pediatric Intake Form (1).pdf 
CT Office of Health Strategy Denies Proposal to Shut-down Obstetrics Services Windham Memorial Hospital

Earlier this week, the Connecitcut Office of Health Strategy denied a proposal from Hartford HealthCare to shut down obstetric services at Windham Community Memorial Hospital. OHS determined that decision was unjustified for the many families in that community that would be greatly impacted by the loss of those services.
Read The Final Decision
Infant Formula Shortage Fact Sheet
Northwest Corner Gives
 
Throughout the month of July, the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation is sponsoring Northwest Corner Gives, with the Foundation matching, dollar-for-dollar, donations to participating nonprofits throughout the region.  

Northwest Corner Gives throughout July
Donations to Nonprofits Matched Dollar-for-Dollar

 

More than 30 Northwest Connecticut nonprofits have posted giving campaigns to Northwest Corner Gives to raise funds for: 
 
  • programs that advance public health and safety recommendations or that provide more equitable access to services and/or supports, with a preference for those related to childhood physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing
  • programs or equipment designed to serve clients remotely, or that promote long-term staff health, safety and wellness along with other demonstrable COVID-19 driven needs and opportunities
  • operational support/capacity building
  • construction/renovation projects

 
You can support these campaigns-and your donations will be matched – dollar for dollar—through the Community Foundation’s crowdfunding giving platform, Northwest Corner Gives. 
 
The Community Foundation is matching your donations dollar-for-dollar from July 1st-July 29th up to the nonprofit’s campaign goal.
Give now!
Questions? Please visit the Northwest Corner Gives Support page for more information.

Connecticut is recruiting businesses from states that are restricting reproductive healthcare – and its already working
 
Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz issued an open letter to businesses in states that are restricting the ability of women to make their own healthcare decisions, encouraging them to relocate their companies to Connecticut, where the rights of women are protected in state law and are among some of the strongest of any state in the nation.
 

 
July 1, 2022
 
Dear business owners,
 
Now more than ever is the time to look at Connecticut as the future home of your business. We have the workforce, the high quality of life, and the values that we know will make you, your families, and your employees feel welcome.
 
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade means that access to reproductive rights will be decided by individual states. There are far-reaching implications for businesses and workers located in states likely to severely limit access to reproductive rights in the coming weeks. For many of you, we can imagine that new restrictions will feel like a betrayal and cause concern about where to live and work. Customers and employees alike will be attracted to states that protect reproductive rights for all.
 
We are writing to any business owner that is disappointed in the stance of their current state. If you are looking to relocate to a state that supports the rights of women and whose actions and laws are unwavering in support of tolerance and inclusivity, Connecticut is for you. Connecticut has a record of providing equal opportunity to all people and one of the strongest records when it comes to protecting reproductive rights.
 
Protection of women’s healthcare choices is one reason to do business in Connecticut, but there are a host of other reasons. We’re the most family-friendly state in America with access to the best childcare you can find anywhere and a paid family medical leave program that provides necessary time for workers to care for loved ones. Connecticut businesses can count on a pro-growth environment, tax stability, and strong fiscal management. We’re even providing the biggest tax cut in state history. Our workforce is well-known for its skill and productivity, and our team is investing in new initiatives to ensure our companies have the talent they need for the long run. We have an elite higher education system to provide the best home-grown talent you’ll find anywhere.
 
We know the prospect of leaving a state you’ve called home is difficult, but on behalf of the State of Connecticut, we want to assure you that we can make our small corner of New England feel like home very quickly.
 
If you are interested and want to learn more about doing business in Connecticut, please visit www.advancect.org. Advance CT is an organization focused on strengthening Connecticut’s business environment and recruiting firms to our state. If Connecticut could be the right place for your business, send an e-mail to governor.lamont@ct.gov and we can discuss this further.
 
We look forward to hearing from you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ned Lamont, Governor
Susan Bysiewicz, Lt. Governor

These efforts appear to be already meeting a receptive audience, per this article in the CT Mirror

:
National Motorcycle Day Safety Tips

On #NationalMotorcycleDay, please take the time to read these 10 important tips from the Department of Transportation to help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries of motorcyclists in Connecticut. ⬇️

⚠️ Always check your blind spots. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles and can be even more difficult to spot while merging or changing lanes. Take your time before merging and devote several seconds to searching each of your car’s blind spots before proceeding with your intended maneuver. 

⚠️ Be extra cautious when passing. Make sure to signal your intention to pass a motorcyclist by using your turn signal. Always make sure you are several car lengths ahead of the motorcycle before returning to your lane.

⚠️ Remember that motorcycles react more quickly than cars. Make sure that you maintain an adequate following distance behind motorcycles. Rear-ending a motorcycle can be fatal to the rider.

⚠️ Be aware of weather. Bad weather has more drastic effects on motorcycle riders than it does on automobile drivers. Also remember that weather conditions often reduce your own visibility and may cause motorcycles to be more difficult to see.

⚠️ Night-riding. Help riders stay safe after dark by increasing your following distance, ensuring that your high-beams are turned off when you notice an approaching motorcycle, and refraining from passing. If you are driving with your high beams on, you must dim them at least 500 feet from any oncoming vehicle including a motorcycle.

⚠️ Stay in your lane. Motorcycles are legally entitled to their own lane of traffic. In no situation are you allowed to drive your automobile in the same lane and in close proximity to a motorcycle. No matter how small these vehicles are or how much extra room that there appears to be, sharing a single lane with a motorcycle is a recipe for an accident and illegal. 

⚠️ Inform motorcyclists of your intention to turn. Initiate your turn signal sooner than you normally would when you know there is a motorcycle driving behind you.

⚠️ Intersections are danger zones. Many vehicle accidents that involve both automobiles and motorcycles occur at intersections. Always follow the safety protocol for intersections every single time that you approach one: come to a complete halt, view and obey posted traffic signs and signals, look both ways for approaching traffic, and proceed slowly. 

⚠️ Watch for turning motorcycles. Self-cancelling turn signals did not become standard on motorcycles until the late 1970s. There are still many motorcycles on the road today that do not have the self-cancelling turn signals that we are now accustomed to. If you notice that a motorcycle is driving with an activated turn signal for an abnormal distance, increase your following distance so that you have time to react whenever the rider does decide to turn. 

⚠️ Take a second look at left-turns. Before you cross a lane or lanes of traffic to turn left, take a second look for approaching motorcycles. Vehicle accidents involving the collision of a left-turning car and an approaching motorcycle can be very severe. 
Free Community College deadline July 15

If you or someone you know is a recent high school graduate headed to college or university, I have some important information to share with you! The deadline to apply for financial aid through Connecticut's free community college program is fast approaching. Students looking to take advantage of the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program are encouraged to apply by Friday, July 15.

PACT funding covers the gap between federal and state grants you receive, and community college tuition and mandatory fees. This session, we passed legislation expanding eligibility for PACT funding to part-time college students.

Applicants must be Connecticut high school graduates who are first-time college students, have completed the FAFSA application, plan on taking at least six credits per semester, and are working toward a degree or certificate.
 
The goal of PACT was to make higher education more accessible. Including part time students will further increase the reach of this program.  Click here to learn more.

CT Department of Labor launches new unemployment system, ReEmployCT
            

 

This week the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) announced a successful launch of the State of Connecticut’s new unemployment benefits and tax system, ReEmployCT.

 

Replacing a 40-year-old unemployment system, ReEmployCT serves approximately 115,000 businesses in Connecticut who pay into the Unemployment Trust Fund, as well as unemployed workers who are eligible for benefits.

  

ReEmployCT replaces several unemployment systems in use at the agency. It provides a single sign-on for claimants; brings features online to help claimants and employers reduce the need to mail or fax documents; and it reduces the number of times some companies must file their wage records. The system also improves CTDOL functions by reducing manual processing and providing better data about unemployment.

 

Unlike the prior system, ReEmployCT is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

CTDOL launched the new system over the recent holiday weekend as unemployment is not processed on holidays, giving the agency another day to test the processes. Additionally, July is traditionally a low-use month for filers and it is the beginning of the quarter for businesses.

 

Currently, Connecticut has approximately 20,000 weekly unemployment filers. Over the past 24 hours since the launch, 19,900 filers have established new accounts in the ReEmployCT system and 7,500 have already filed their weekly certification. Claimants have until Saturday to file for the week ending July 2, 2022. If a claimant did not file a weekly certification on June 26, 2022, they may also file for that week, as well. Since launching yesterday at noon, ReEmployCT has paid nearly $1.8 million in benefits to more than 2,500 filers.

 

Design and planning of ReEmployCT began in 2016 with the initial implementation expected to happen in May 2021. Due to the pandemic and historically high unemployment filings between March 2020 to September 2021, that launch was rescheduled for July 5, 2022.

 

Additional information about ReEmployCT is available at www.reemployct.com.
 
DEEP public meeting introducing draft hazard tree policy on July 11
 
The Department of Energy & Environment Protection (DEEP) will hold a virtual public meeting on July 11 at 6:00pm to introduce the agency’s Draft Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy. 
 
You can read the policy here: Hazard-Tree-Mitigation-Policy-Draft.pdf (ct.gov)
 
You can register for the webinar here:  Webinar Registration - Zoom 
 
The notice for the meeting is here:  Public-Notice---Hazard-Tree-Policy.pdf (ct.gov)
 
The public comment period is open through July 17 at 11:59pm.
DEEP releases Request for Information for broadband infrastructure grant programs
 
This week the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather important market information and input from providers, municipalities, community groups, and members of the public, ahead of the anticipated broadband infrastructure deployment programs. This marks a critical step toward implementing universal and equitable broadband access in the state, and interested stakeholders are encouraged to read the RFI (linked below) and provide their input. It will be important that the Northwest Corner speaks up!
 
The state will receive over $140 million for broadband infrastructure projects in Connecticut to support the growing shift toward long-term remote work, distance learning, and online health services.    
 
In July 2021, the Governor signed Public Act 21-159, which promotes the build-out of broadband internet in unserved and underserved areas of Connecticut, particularly in urban centers and rural communities. In support of these measures, the State set aside $42.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Funds to invest in low-income/multi-family curb-to-home and business broadband infrastructure buildout and underserved area broadband infrastructure grants.   
 
An additional $100 million will become available to each state through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program that was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to fund broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption activities.  
 
The DEEP Office of Telecommunications and Broadband is focused on developing equitable policies and programs to bring the economic and social benefits of broadband access to the residents and businesses of Connecticut. This RFI will help identify potential barriers to access and adoption to ensure that everyone living and working in the state has affordable, reliable, and resilient broadband service. Important elements of the programs will include:  
 
  • Progress toward the state-wide goal of universal access to broadband at speeds of 1 Gbps/100 Mbps (1 Gbps symmetrical for community anchor institutions) to enable participation in modern social and economic life  
  • Investment in fiber-optic technology and last-mile infrastructure to promote resilient and reliable networks  
  • Development of open access infrastructure to promote competition and affordable service plan options  

A public input session is planned for July 21, 2022, at 10 a.m. To read the full RFI, to submit a response, or to register for the public input session, please click here.  

For more information about Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act programs that are relevant to DEEP’s programs and mission, please click here. 
 

 
 
Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase on July 14

Connecticut's Primary Election is on August 9
Connecticut's Primary Election is on August 9, and absentee ballots will be available on July 19.  This year’s statewide primary ballot will include the following races:
  • U.S Senate
  • Governor
  • Secretary of State
  • State Treasurer
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.
 
It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.

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