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There’s a lot happening this Fall as we shift into gearing up for the next legislative session.
The state's new discount prescription drug program is up and running. Please look below to see how you can register.
Since we're now in the fall season, this is a great time to remind everyone that bears are preparing for the winter by eating as much as they can right now. You will find tips on how to avoid feeding those wild animals.
Here are the sections in this week's email. Keep scrolling until you find the topic you are looking for:
- What's Our Rep Been Up To?
- Register Now for Discount Prescription Drug Program
- Don't Feed Bears As They Scavenge For Food
- State's New Health & Human Services Portal
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- CT's Transportation Bonds Upgraded
- Heublein Tower Photo Contest
- Community Events
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| What's Our Rep Been Up To? |
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Recently, I’ve been catching up on work at my “other job” after time away last month in New Orleans for a conference on Affordable Housing. Housing in general is by far the topic I’m hearing most about here in town. Most folks I talk to support housing that is more affordable AND they want it done in concert with our community values of open space, historic preservation, and sense of place. Local businesses in particular also want — and need — to see missing middle housing and workforce housing to support our businesses and economic development.
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To be frank, those are tall orders in a town where taxes and land values are high. That’s why I attended the Novogradac & Company LLP conference on Low Income Housing Tax Credits to amplify my real estate finance knowledge. In a time of high inflation, high interest rates, high insurance costs impacted by climate change, and supply chain issues, understanding and leveraging finance options will be key to getting this done.
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I’m all in on making sure that in our growing town, we’re maximizing all the resources and tools available. I’ll be back in the upcoming session with more legislative ideas on how to make this happen.
If you’re interested in how Simsbury develops and grows, be sure to attend the upcoming Planning Commission meeting on the draft Plan of Conservation and Development. Click here to learn more about it.
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| Register Now for Discount Prescription Drug Program |
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You are now eligible to sign up for ArrayRx, a prescription drug discount card program that provides up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. It's a free service without any age or income restrictions to join.
Visit the ArrayRx website and enter your:
- name
- email address
- birth date
- home address
- zip code
After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.
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You can use the ArrayRx website to compare prices of medications by type and by location of different pharmacies. You can also apply ArrayRx to specific medications if they are less expensive than under your current insurance plan. Your pharmacist will be able to split the order appropriately.
ArrayRx does not sell or distribute your personal data.
For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com.
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| Don't Feed Bears As They Scavenge For Food |
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Right now, bears are desperately searching for high quantities of food so they can fatten up ahead of the winter season. According to BearWise, these animals eat 10 times the calories they normally consume during the fall. Make sure your place a no-bear-food zone by cleaning BBQs, making sure no pet food is outside, and taking down bird feeders.
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| State's New Health & Human Services Portal |
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I am so excited to announce Health.CT.gov, a new website serving as a hub for all of your health and wellness services. You'll find all sorts of great, local resources like:
Programs specifically tailored for our 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
Click the image below to check out the new website!
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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!
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| Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
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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. In 2021, I was proud to have worked behind the scenes to bring Jennifer's Law to fruition to formally codify and start addressing Coercive Control as a form of domestic violence. As an attorney practicing in family court, this years I was proud to be the original proponent of House Bill 6639, a bill that passed unanimously, which will remove one tool of coercive control in family court and give victims a fighting chance in court.
We need to have confidence that our judicial system will result in fair and equitable outcomes. Coming up, you'll notice a steady stream of bills from me designed to take coercive tools away from abusive spouses and parents in family court.
If you're a victim of domestic violence, reach out because there are people who could save your life.
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| CT's Transportation Bonds Upgraded |
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Kroll Bond Rating Agency has upgraded the credit rating of Connecticut’s transportation bonds from AA+ to AAA, the highest credit rating possible.
The upgrade is for Connecticut's Special Tax Obligation (STO), Transportation Infrastructure Purposes Bonds, which are used for the state's portion of transportation infrastructure improvements, including construction and maintenance of highways, roads, bridges, mass transit projects, waterway access, and more.
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| 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. Kroll also upgraded the state’s General Obligation credit rating to AA+ earlier this year. Since 2021, Moody’s, Fitch, Kroll (twice), and S&P (twice) have upgraded Connecticut’s GO credit rating. |
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| Heublein Tower Photo Contest |
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You’re invited to vote for the photo that best captures the awe-inspiring beauty of Heublein Tower!
Organizers will announce three winners at the Tower Toot event on October 21-22, and their photos may be used for prints by Friends of Heublein Tower.
The images below are the finalists!
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The winners will receive surprise gift cards and their photos will be featured prominently on Friends of Heublein Tower merchandise.
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| Stop by the Simsbury Historical Society to learn about political and historical memorabilia. Tom Gilmore, a Simsbury resident with 40 years of experience collecting posters, pins, and much more, will provide a presentation and answer questions on Thursday, October 26 from 7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. |
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| Head over to the International Skating Center of Connecticut, pull on your costume, and get ready for a skele-fun time at a GLOW Public Skate session! There will be more tricks and treats once you arrive.
$10 per person, $5 per skate rental, $5 per ice walker |
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