Aimee Berger-Girvalo

There's a lot of information to share with you. The House and Senate convened in a special session and voted on Nora R. Dannehy's nomination for the Connecticut Supreme Court. We also voted on moving the state's presidential primary to early April, so we can have more of a voice on who our next commander-in-chief is. 

Ridgefield is receiving a Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant for $500,000!

Friday, the Bond Commission approved $25 million in funding for new voting machines (tabulators) in Connecticut. Our current machines came online in 2006. 

Connecticut is paying down its long-term pension debt, saving taxpayers more than $600 million per year over the next 25 years. 

Do you know someone who might be interested in being a General Assembly intern? Below you'll find information on how to make that a reality. 

There are a number of Ridgefield events coming up, and I've shared information on a few of them in this newsletter. 

As always, if you have any questions about anything in this newsletter, or need help from my office, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Aimee

It was an honor to be invited to read this poem by Yehuda Amichai, at last night's vigil to support our community's Jewish friends and neighbors, as we all continue to take in the devastating news of the terror attack in Israel.

As I said last night, my heart breaks with you. My heart breaks for you. My heart breaks for us all.

Thank you to Rabbi Reiner, and the entire Congregation Shir Shalom, for letting my children and me sit with you all and take comfort from the words and songs you shared, and for the community you continue to provide.

In late September, I had the pleasure of visiting the Keeler Tavern and Museum, here in Ridgefield, and sitting down with Executive Director, Hildy Grob, and Katie Burton, Director of Strategic Storytelling and Project Leader for DEAI. Our discussion on the importance of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, as they relate not only to the physical space, but also to the programming and education at the museum, was most enjoyable, and I urge you to watch the conversation below (click either photo or click HERE).

If you haven’t visited the museum lately, you should definitely go!

On Friday, the Connecticut State Bond Commission voted to approve more than $1.1 billion in state funding that will be used to perform various and widespread improvements to Connecticut’s transportation system. The new transportation bonding unlocks up to $2.5 Billion in federal funds for Connecticut.

The funding includes more than $666 million for public transportation and more than $300 million for roads and bridges. Some of the specific projects approved for funding include:

• Northeast Corridor (NEC) Match Program: $398.1 million for 13 projects aimed at upgrading outdated passenger rail infrastructure and improving transit efficiency, speed, and capacity. This allocation will provide a match for up to $2.1 billion in matching federal funding.
• Fix-it-First Bridge Repair: $98 million for rehabilitation, reconstruction, repair, or replacement of bridges on the state highway system, matching $40 million in federal funds.
• I-91/1-691/Route 15 Interchange in Meriden: $31.7 million for interchange reconstruction and realignment on I-91 Northbound, I-691 Westbound, and Route 15 Northbound to address operational and safety concerns that will improve safety and decrease congestion, matching $223 million in federal funds.
• New Haven Union Station Improvements: $15 million for the design of three enhancement projects to the property, including a new multimodal hub, parking structure, and rental car facility in the West Lot; Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the existing East Lot; and the realignment of Union Avenue near Union Station to enhance traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety.
• Stamford Station Parking Garage Demolition: $9 million for the demolition of the 1985 parking garage at Stamford Transportation Center, the busiest rail station in the state. Demolition of the old garage will allow the state to proceed with solicitation of Transit-Oriented Development projects adjacent to the station, which is the busiest rail station in the state.
• Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP): $12.9 million for grants to provide funding to municipalities through the Councils of Government (COGs) to address regional transportation priorities through capital improvement projects.
• Installation of Advanced Wrong-Way Driving Technology: $12.4 million to support the implementation of wrong-way driver detection systems at 70 high-risk locations statewide. These systems will alert drivers of incorrect direction by flashing red lights and state police will be notified in real time through special alerts.
• Community Connectivity and Alternative Mobility Program: $12 million for an additional round of grant awards to local projects that improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users in urban, suburban, and rural community centers, to be announced next month. To date, more than 100 projects have received grant funding totaling more than $38 million.
• Transportation Rural-Improvement Program (TRIP): $10 million for grants to provide funding to rural and small towns for infrastructure improvements. The first round of grants for this new program will be awarded over the next several months.
• State Local Bridge Program Improvements: $7.1 million for grants for local bridge projects across the state, to be matched by $7.1 million in local funds.

Sixty small towns in Connecticut, including Ridgefield, will benefit from the state's Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) which will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, sewer and drainage upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, recreational facility upgrades, and other kinds of capital improvement projects.

• Ridgefield: $500,000 in state funding is approved for the replacement of the Mountain Road culvert. This will be matched by $266,100 in town funds.

The grants are provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

Connecticut was lost in the forest at the end of the presidential primary season. During our recent special session, we took this bipartisan proposal and moved the state's presidential primary up by four weeks. This means the presidential primary will occur on the first Tuesday in April.

This decision was made after carefully considering the benefits it would bring to Connecticut voters. By advancing the primary date, we aim to increase our influence in the national political landscape and encourage more candidates to visit us during the 2024 campaign season. 

The bipartisan support for this important bill serves as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to upholding democracy and ensuring that every single voice has a meaningful opportunity to be heard and valued.

As we move forward, I encourage you to stay informed about the upcoming presidential primary and actively participate in the democratic process. Your vote matters and your voice deserves to be heard. 

Friday, the CT Bond Commission voted to allocate $25 million to replace the state's aging voting machines.

The machines we use in elections are what keeps democracy going! Connecticut's existing machines, which were first put into use in 2006, are beginning to show signs of aging.

These funds will be used to purchase new ballot-counting tabulators for use in elections and primaries statewide.

Connecticut’s transportation bonds credit ranking has been updated from AA+ to AAA - the highest credit rating possible!

The upgrade is for Connecticut’s Special Tax Obligation (STO), Transportation Infrastructure Purposes bonds. These bonds are issued for the state’s portion of transportation infrastructure improvements, including construction and maintenance of highways, roads, bridges, mass transit projects, waterway access, and more.

In its notice to investors, Kroll credited the upgrade in part to the state’s strong legal framework that protects bondholders by committing revenues to cover debt service on STO bonds. Public support for transportation funding, Connecticut’s long-standing commitment to transportation investment, and prudent management have strengthened the STO bond program and bolstered its appeal to investors.

Connecticut recently transferred more than $1.3 billion to pay down its long-term pension debt.

Since the legislature enacted the state’s “fiscal guardrails” in 2017, more than $7 billion in excess contributions captured from volatile revenue sources have been made to pay down pension debt, resulting in far-reaching savings for Connecticut taxpayers. 

Future generations will save more than $600 million per year over the next 25 years while supporting retirement benefits for teachers, state troopers, nurses, correction officers, and more.

While enormous progress has been made in addressing our long-term liabilities, more work remains. But what we have achieved is benefitting taxpayers today and long into the future.

Hey Ridgefield! I'm excited to share with you an incredible opportunity for young individuals interested in politics and public service. The Connecticut General Assembly is currently accepting applications for the Legislative Internship Program. This internship provides invaluable, behind-the-scenes insight into the legislator's roles, state politics, and the policy-making process. Legislative interns are assigned to individual legislators, where duties include bill tracking, drafting research reports, writing testimony, social media posts and speeches, and providing information to district constituents. In addition, interns engage in career development projects and field trips. 

Click HERE to learn more. 

The Dual Credit Expansion Grant Program not only gives students a head start on their college coursework, it also reduces some of the the financial burden of higher education.

For more information on the Connecticut State Department of Education’s dual credit opportunities, visit portal.ct.gov/dualcredit.

I'm excited to announce this new website! Health.CT.gov is a hub for all of your health and wellness services. You'll find all sorts of great, local resources like: 

• Programs specifically tailored for your community
• Insurance and financial resources
• Easy directions to apply for the help you need
• Health services for you and your loved ones
• Healthy Living Tools

You can also check your eligibility for assistance with health insurance, utilities, food, and other critical health needs. 

Spread the word and check it out today!

We've had a lot of rain - A LOT lately. In fact, it has rained every weekend for at least a month. That said, if a road has water across it, please don't try to navigate your way through it. It's always best to turn around and find an alternate route. 

The ArrayRx program is now open!

I highly encourage you to take advantage of this free program that can save Connecticut residents up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. There's no cost, age restriction, or income restriction to join. To sign up, click HERE. 

Visit the ArrayRx website and enter your name, email address, birth date, home address, and zip code. After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.

The program is part of Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, which I proudly supported.

For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com.

Domestic violence is a public health crisis. Here in Connecticut, we are committed to fighting for survivors and victims by enacting critical change through legislation.

For 24/7 support call/text (888) 774-2900 or e-mail CTSafeConnect.org

October marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We continue to make headway with new treatments, but most of us can say we know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer - both women and men. Some have no evidence of disease/remission, some continue their breast cancer journeys, and some we have sadly lost. 

This month and all year long, I'm committed to fighting for those affected by breast cancer here in Connecticut. We will never stop working to find cures, address the needs of patients and their families, and make treatments affordable.

May we honor those we have lost, offer strength to those who continue to live with breast cancer, and work to protect the health of future generations.

After four years, the Holiday House Tour resumes, with a new partner for Tiger Hollow Inc. as the Ridgefield Historical Society joins to showcase five historic homes, all decorated for the holidays, on Dec. 2, with the bonus of a Dec. 1 Preview Party at yet another storied Ridgefield home. This will be a walkable house tour, with all but one house on Main Street and the other nearby. There’s lots new for 2023; tours are organized in three time slots and there’s an option of signing up to tour in groups. Tickets are now on sale! All the details are available on the website.