Working on Electric Vehicle Legislation & Meet Me Over Coffee

December 5, 2023


I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and that your preparations for the holiday season are going well. As we inch toward the new year, I am focused on the work that needs to be done in the new legislative session. One big talker, in Simsbury and at the Capitol, is electric vehicles (EVs). While a proposal to ban gas powered car sales by 2035 is on hold, my colleagues and I will be working collaboratively to address concerns raised about the switch to EV only sales, particularly about affordability, range, and grid preparedness.

This Sunday, I will hold my last community coffee hours of the year at the Coffee Spot. In the spirit of the season, if it's within your means, please bring food, household goods, or a personal hygiene donation for the Simsbury Food Pantry. We are trying to make this holiday season more special for those in need. You will find the items the food pantry needs this month below.

The state's new discount prescription drug program has been up and running for two months. Please read below to find out how you can save on medication and how many people in our community have already registered!

Here are the sections in this week's email. You can scroll down until you find the topic you are looking for:

  • Community Coffee Event for Holiday Helpers!
  • Latest on Electric Vehicle Legislation
  • Discount Prescription Drug Program Enrollment Update
  • Warning on New Apple Update
  • Community Events
 
Community Coffee Event for Holiday Helpers!
I’m asking everyone to be a holiday helper at my Community Coffee Event this weekend. I invite you to meet me in person, drink some coffee, and talk about the ways we can improve our community on Sunday, December 10 from 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. at the Coffee Spot on 750 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury.
 
I also strongly encourage you to bring a food donation that will go to the Simsbury Food Pantry. Some of the following items are in need during the holiday season:
  • Canned meat/tuna
  • Pasta sauce
  • Canned tomato products
  • Peanut butter and jelly

CLICK HERE for the entire list of suggested donations.
  
I look forward to meeting with constituents to share what I’m working on and discuss any bill ideas you may have. I’m eager to hear your thoughts and questions and to receiver your feedback on state policy issues.
 
Latest on Electric Vehicle Legislation
You may have heard about Governor Ned Lamont’s decision to withdraw regulations that would have implemented the California plan which would ban the sale of gas powered vehicles in Connecticut by 2035. While the issue has been tabled for the time being, it is a major legislative priority in 2024. Among other important considerations, there is a heavy focus on working with important stakeholders like electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, local businesses, municipalities, and residents to ensure that our grid is prepared – and in a way that won’t further drive up the cost of electricity -- and that infrastructure necessary to support this transition, such as charging stations, is widely available.
 
We want to move forward with thoughtful policy allowing our society to invest in EVs with realistic goals as well as costs and to ensure that plans are in place to minimize disruption during any transition. House Democrats held our first caucus on this issue last night, and discussions are underway to address concerns raised. Discussions on this so far include initiatives, incentives and tax credits, and the potential role for carbon sequestration. We are also taking a hard look at approaches taken in other states such as Colorado, which adopted a two step approach to move forward at this time while allowing future legislators and administrations to gauge progress, technological advancements, and capacity before taking the final steps to a fully EV vehicle policy.
Electric vehicles are part of the future for a clean planet. Industry experts explain the average price Americans are paying for new EVs continues to drop from year to year. Connecticut will likely not dictate the EV market, but the action we take now will better prepare our communities for the inevitable transition to alternative sources of energy.
 
Please CLICK HERE to listen to Monday’s press conference.
 
Discount Prescription Drug Program Enrollment Update
More than 12,000 Connecticut residents have signed up for the state’s prescription drug discount program called ArrayRx. Registration started about two months ago after my colleagues and I voted this program into law.
 
Those who sign up, including those on Medicare, will receive a free Rx card with savings up to 80% on generics. All FDA approved prescriptions are included. This program is a tool to deal with the dramatic rise in the cost of prescription drugs.
Click Here To Learn More About ArrayRx
The Office of the State Comptroller recently released its full ArrayRx enrollment list by town. CLICK HERE to see how many people in Simsbury have signed up.
 
Warning on New Apple Update
Police departments all over the state are warning people about a new feature called NameDrop on the latest Apple update. NameDrop allows users, including your children, to share contacts between Apple devices by bringing them close to each other.
 
Both the devices involved must have the BlueTooth and NameDrop features turned on. After that, the NameDrop technology will allow you to share the contact by tapping the two phones.
Even though NameDrop is auto enabled when you update to iOS 17, it’s crucial to note that consent is required throughout the process. A stranger can’t bump into you for a few seconds, and then walk away with your phone number.
 
 
Community Events
 
 
 
On Sunday, December 10 from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Simsbury will once again be aglow by candlelight with the spirit of friendship and community as neighbors come together to Unite By Light.

Those who attend will place and light 25 of the 1,000 luminaries that will line both sides of a one-mile stretch of Hopmeadow Street. Then walk the mile and take in the lights along with music and vocal performances at four venues, a Community Wish Tree, painted sleighs, and more!
Click Here For the Entire Program!
 
 
Admission includes skating for one hour and a complimentary hot chocolate from our Sk8terZ Cafe. Santa will not be skating.

Skating and hot chocolate is $15 per person, skate rentals are $5 per pair, walker rentals are $5 per walker. No pre-order is necessary.