State Capitol Update for the Week of August 8

August 12, 2022
Dear Friend,

This is my State Capitol update for the week of August 8.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
 
Thankfully we are heading into what looks like a cooler summer weekend, again packed with festive outdoor activities. 
 
Tonight (Friday, August 12) is the Taste of Cornwall, from 6-8pm on the Town Green, featuring music by the Wanda Houston HBH Band, a small bite/tasting buffet featuring foods from local farms and vendors, and games for the kids. Check Cornwall's Park and Rec website for details.
Read More Here
The intrepid among us may have already signed up for the Sharon Triathalon starting at 8am on Saturday, August 13.  The event includes a 12.3 mile bike course, a shady and flat 4.4 mile run around a beautiful lake, and a half-mile swim in calm and clean waters.  And it's followed by their signature post-race BBQ.  If that seems ambitious, why not go cheer them on what looks like it will be a beautiful day.

If you burned a lot of energy at the Triathalon, even if it was cheering on all those bikers, runners, and swimmers, why not refuel at Sharon Volunteer Ambulance Squad’s monthly pancake breakfast at the Sharon Firehouse, this Sunday, August 14, from 7:00 to 10:30am?  Whether you’re into sausage or fruit salad, they have it all. 

This weekend also includes the kickoff of a month-long series of events honoring The Lakeville Journal's 125th Anniversary.  Saturday, August 13 from 4-6pm will feature the opening reception of Salisbury Association’s retrospective chronicling the history of the century-spanning Lakeville Journal. The exhibit runs through October 1.  On Sunday, August 14 from 10am-4pm, the actual 125th anniversary of the paper's first publication, is The Lakeville Journal’s 125th Anniversary Day, celebrated with a classic summer fair on Academy Street in Salisbury.   
See you out there!

 
Here is a list of today's topics:
  • COVID-19 Weekly Update. Click here. 
  • Environmental Scorecard Click here.
  • Hero Pay Click here.
  • Monkeypox Vaccination Information. Click here.
  • Insurance Companies are Proposing a Rate Hike. Click here. 
  • Living With Bears. Click here. 
  • Monkeypox Webinar Recording. Click here. 
  • Hospitality Industry Support Program. Click here. 
  • DEEP releases Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy. Click here. 
  • Reproductive Rights Hotline launched. 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.”
 
Environmental Scorecard

Every year, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) releases an Environmental Scorecard. This scorecard gives lawmakers a score based on their stances on environmental issues.  I am proud to announce that I received a score of 100%. Click here to read more.
Premium Pay Program for essential workers now open for applications
 
If you were an essential worker and were employed during the pandemic, you may be eligible for up to $1,000 from Connecticut's Premium Pay Program

The official launch is next week, but the portal is already open.  The application period runs until October 1st.  
 
Visit the online portal here: ctessentialworkerrelief.org/
Monkeypox declared a public health emergency by federal government
In an effort to secure additional funds and resources to combat the recent monkeypox outbreak, U.S. leaders declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency. Cases in the U.S. surpassed 6,600, with an overwhelming majority being reported among men who have sex with men.
On August 22, I plan to host a FB Live conversation with Dr. Mark Marshall from Sharon Hospital.  I will share details when timing is confirmed. 

The state Department of Public Health launched a vaccine program to make doses available for those most at risk:
  • MSM, and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the past 14 days And are 18 or older AND live in CT
  • People who are close personal contacts of someone with monkeypox OR those who may have been exposed to the virus, OR those who may have increased risk of exposure

There are 16 vaccine sites across our state to reach as many eligible residents as possible. Eligible CT residents can call the clinic nearest them to make an appointment and get vaccinated at no charge and regardless of their immigration and insurance status. More information and clinic contact info is available at bit.ly/3QGhsqW
Hospitality Industry Support Program
 
Connecticut's hospitality industry was hit hard by COVID-19. While many of our favorite restaurants, hotels, wineries, breweries, entertainment venues and more have made progress in their recovery, we know they're still trying to rebuild.

Starting this week, more than 1,700 eligible CT-based hospitality businesses will receive checks in the mail through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's CT Hospitality Industry Support Program. The new grant program was established in the biennium state budget passed during the 2021 legislative session allocating $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support hospitality businesses that experienced financial losses because of the pandemic.

Businesses will receive checks directly from the state Department of Revenue Services in amounts ranging from $7,500 to $49,999. The base grant for businesses located in distressed municipalities is $15,000. Businesses DO NOT have to apply for the grant.

To receive a grant, existing businesses must meet several criteria, including a decline of 15% or more in gross receipts when comparing calendar years 2019 to 2021. Grants can be used to support payroll and benefits; employee retention; mortgage, rent, utility, and other operating expenses; existing equipment/facilities maintenance; or costs to support COVID-19 mitigation and infection prevention strategies.

These grants will help offset some of the financial challenges these businesses experienced in the face of the pandemic and stabilize them for future challenges.

You can learn more about this new grant program here.
Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) releases Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy
 
In response to the removal of an entire bank of trees in Housatonic Meadows State Park in November of 2021, we passed legislation that required DEEP to create a Hazard Tree Mitigation Policy.  After soliciting public comment this summer (as required), DEEP this week released the final notice and version of the new policy. 
 
Notice:
Hazard-Tree-Mitigation-Policy---Final-Notice.pdf (ct.gov)
 
Final Policy:
Hazard-Tree-Mitigation-Policy---Final-Version.pdf (ct.gov)
 
Both can also be found on DEEP's website, on this link for your convenience.
 
I look forward to continuing the conversation on this topic, as I expect the legislature will be reviewing this policy in the upcoming session.
Reproductive Rights Hotline launched
In the wake of the Supreme Court's devastating decision overturning of Roe v. Wade, it's not enough that we fight for the right to choose - we must also ensure individuals know how to exercise that right and empower them to reach out for support.

With that in mind, Connecticut has launched a reproductive rights telephone hotline and website to provide assistance to those seeking factual information on abortion and to connect them to reliable services and resources.

Individuals seeking abortion services can call 1-866-CTCHOICE (1-866-282-4642) or visit the website by clicking the button below to find providers available in their area, community services, and other useful resources. 
CT.gov: Abortion Access in Connecticut
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.