Jennifer Leeper

Next week, Governor Lamont will be calling the General Assembly in for a special legislative session on Wednesday and Thursday to address the urgent challenges created by federal funding cuts. Our focus will be approving state funds to protect essential programs that support and protect Connecticut families.

Additionally, as the Governor committed to when he vetoed the housing bill HB-5002, his office, legislators, and municipal partners have been engaged in negotiations on a collaborative approach to support increasing our housing supply to meet the very high demand and costs. The goal is to ensure our housing stock has options for young people, seniors who want to downsize, and places for people who want to live or stay in Connecticut and so that businesses can move here or existing businesses can expand. 

This past legislative session, I voted no on HB-5002 primarily because I did not believe the Fair Share model was the right approach to expanding our housing stock. Before the Governor vetoed the bill, I asked him to rather than veto it, to call the legislature back into immediate special session to eliminate the Fair Share piece and address the minimum parking requirement portion. I believed there was a better way to improve this bill, rather than a long, drawn-out veto process.

Over the last several months, stakeholders took the time needed to deeply engage and rework the parts of the bill that were sticking points. Today, the Governor, legislators and local leaders announced they have successfully worked through concerns. 

In the new bill, Fair Share has been completely removed. Instead, this bill focuses on incentives in the form of planning assistance and support. This bill also replaces municipal Affordable Housing Plans with Housing Growth Plans, which take into account all housing stock not only affordable housing. Part of the planning assistance will look at how much land communities have that is even developable and help communities set growth targets. These targets are not required, and municipalities through the local Town Plan and Zoning Commission can set their own target with no penalty. 

The approach this bill takes is to aid local communities to create buy-in for their own vision of their future and to proactively work toward that vision. In my opinion, this was what was missing from Fair Share, and I believe this approach will not feel like a punishment for communities, in the way that 8-30g has, and rather it focuses on each municipality's vision for their own future. 

I still need to fully vet and review the final bill language, but I am hopeful that these negotiations have resulted in a compromise that addresses the concerns I shared with our community back in June.

You can read the current bill language here. I look forward to the ongoing conversation with you on this topic. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

A reminder to please join me and Reps. Keitt, McCarthy Vahey, and Hughes for a community food drive next Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10am-2pm at First Church Congregational (148 Beach Rd., Fairfield).

With the current expiration of SNAP benefits and rising grocery prices, our food pantries are about to feel a mass spike in demand.

This food drive will help families in our community at a time at a time when they are struggling and just before Thanksgiving. I hope you'll consider donating whatever you can. Every bit matters.

Most Needed Items:

• Pasta Sauce
• Canned Vegetables
• Soup
• Chili & Stew
• Canned Meat
• Ramen & Instant Noodles
• Chef Boyardee/SpaghettiOs’s
• Baked Beans
• Ensure/Boost
• Box Milk
• Cereal
• Toiletries

During the fifth annual Heating Assistance Awareness Month this November, it is critical to be aware of the programs available to help pay or lower heating bills, and keep homes warm this winter.

If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with their energy bills, now is the time to get assistance this winter heating season. There is a plan for everyone, including:

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP):

• Click here to apply to get up to $645 towards your heating bill from CEAP. 

Energy Efficiency:

• Click here to take advantage of Eversource’s energy efficiency programs, incentives and tips to help you save money and reduce your overall energy use during the colder months. Renters need permission from their landlords to participate.

Winter Protection:

• If you provide proof of qualifying household income or public assistance benefits you receive for at least one household member, your service cannot be shut off between November 1 and May 1.

Click here to learn more about these programs provided through Eversource.

Click here to find your Community Action Agency (CAA) or call 2-1-1 to learn more.

**Heating assistance programs are also available to customers served by United Illuminating. Click here for additional information about eligibility and how to apply.**

For those looking to receive a COVID-19 vaccine this year, there is important information for you to know about access:

• Adults 18 and Older
  • All adults 18 and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy or doctor's office in Connecticut
• Children Aged 12-17
  • All children aged 12 to 17 can get a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy or doctor's office in Connecticut
  • NOTE: Some pharmacies may not officer vaccines to children under 18. Call ahead to see if your pharmacy offers vaccines for children
• Children Aged 3-12
  • All children aged 3 to 12 can get a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy or doctor's office in Connecticut
  • NOTE: Some pharmacies may not offer vaccines to children under 12. Call ahead to see if your pharmacy offers vaccines for children
• Infants Aged 6 Months to 3 Years
  • Infants from 6 months to 3 years old can receive the COVID-19 vaccine from their pediatrician