United Illuminating, Bills Signed Into Law, and more

July 21, 2023


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! Below, please find information on a United Illuminating public hearing next week, some bills that just became law, and more. You can use the links below to navigate between sections.
 
United Illuminating Public Hearing 
Several months ago I told you about United Illuminating's Railroad Transmission Line Upgrade Project proposal. The project would rebuild UI's transmission lines along approximately 7.3 miles of the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Metro-North Railroad corridor between Fairfield and Bridgeport. The project would remove the existing 115-kV lines and UI facilities, and build them on new double- or single-circuit self-supporting monopoles. According to the proposal, there will be fewer monopoles than current poles and they enhance the grid's resiliency.
You can read more about the project here.
On Tuesday, July 25, there will be a virtual public hearing on the project. There will be an evidentiary session followed by a session for public comment. This public hearing is a great chance to make your voice heard, and I strongly encourage you all to join to learn more about this project.
You can read more about the public hearing here.
 
Reproductive Rights Bills that Became Law
This week, Governor Ned Lamont signed some critical bills on reproductive rights into law, including:
  • Public Act 23-128 - Protecting medical providers from adverse actions taken by another state
  • Public Act 23-52 - Allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control
  • Public Act 23-41 - Increasing access to reproductive care by college students at public institutions of higher education
  • Public Act 23-56 - Protecting the privacy of patient health data online
When faced with the Supreme Court's terrible decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Connecticut emerged as a national leader on reproductive rights. I’m sad our Supreme Court stripped women of their autonomy but grateful that here in CT we’ve taken meaningful steps to restore and protect it.
 
Personal Financial Management Bill
The governor also signed a bill yesterday that requires completion of a personal financial management course to graduate from high school. Financial literacy is a critical lesson for children to learn, and it has historically been under-taught. With the passage of this bill into law, we are setting our children up for future financial success.
 
Top States to Live In
A survey released by CNBC last week put Connecticut among the best states to live and work. It ranked 10th in the "Life, Health and Inclusion" category of CNBC's Top States for Business in 2023. While some states may prioritize themselves on the lowest taxes or the lowest cost of doing business, Connecticut prides itself on having one of, if not the best quality of life for its residents, and that is why I love our state so much.
 
Fairfield Museum Free Summer Admission 
The Fairfield Museum is one of the many participating locations of the 2023 CT Summer at the Museum program. The program invites Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut resident adult to visit free of charge through September 4, 2023.
Funding for the initiative is provided by the CT General Assembly, with the support of Connecticut Humanities, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, CT Office of the Arts (COA), which also receives support from the federal ARPA.
 
Parks and Recreation Soccer League 

Register NOW for fall soccer!  The Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department's soccer league is for boys & girls in grades K – 8! Each team has one practice per week and grades 1 – 8 play games on Saturdays and kindergarten plays on Sundays!
The deadline to register is Thursday, July 27! Visit www.fairfieldrecreation for more info and to register today!
 
Grants for Kinship Guardians 

For anyone that is a kinship guardian, I want you to be aware of probate court grants available for you.

For more than a decade, local Probate Courts have annually awarded $2 million in grants from the state Kinship Fund and Respite Fund to guardians of children who meet low-income guidelines.

The Kinship Fund awards grants of up to $550 a child -- or $2,200 a family – a year to help pay for necessities such as eyeglasses and clothing, or for enrichment activities such as summer camp, art supplies or creative books.

The Respite Fund helps guardians with the cost of child care, rent, transportation and food. These grants are capped at $2,200 a year.

Appointing and supporting kinship guardians are two of the many ways Connecticut’s Probate Courts serve both residents and the State. Through this program, our Probate Courts save the State more than $70 million a year by keeping thousands of children out of the foster care system.

Guardians can apply for both funds, though a separate application for each is required. Amounts awarded to residents are determined by their local Probate Court.

Residents can find grant applications online or by contacting their local Probate Court.
 
FPS Green Team Cafeteria Compost 
The Fairfield Public School's Green Team needs your help bringing cafeteria compost to Fairfield Public Schools! Sustainable Fairfield and the Fairfield PTA Council's Green Teams are parterning with SustainableCT on a grant that will enable them to collect food waste in five additional Fairfield schools over the next two years.

You can read more by scanning the QR code in the graphic below, and you can donate at patronicity.com/fairfieldcomposts.
 
I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
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