Weekly Update December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor, 
 
In this email, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.

A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer, or scroll through this email to the relevant section. 

The topics covered are as follows:

 
State Update
Deputy Majority Leaders Announced
I am proud to announce the appointment of twelve distinguished members of the House of Representatives to serve as Deputy Majority Leaders for the 2025/2026 legislative term.
 
Each Deputy Majority Leader has been selected for their proven leadership and ability to navigate a variety of policy challenges, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in the legislative process. These legislators will play a key role in advancing the priorities of the House Democrats' Caucus while fostering collaboration and bipartisanship to best serve all residents across Connecticut. The team of deputies comes from communities across the state, representing towns and cities, big and small.
 
The Office of the Majority Leader has primary responsibility for managing the flow of hundreds of pieces of legislation voted out of each Joint Committee. This extensive process involves a thorough review of each bill to provide recommendations which may require additional work, proposed amendments or require further action through a referral to another committee.   
 
The Deputy Majority Leaders for the 2025 legislative session are:
  • Representative Brandon Chafee 33rd (Middletown)
  • Representative Christine Conley 40th (New London, Groton)
  • Representative Mike Demicco 21st (Farmington, Unionville)
  • Representative Pat Dillon 92nd (New Haven)
  • Representative Tammy Exum 19th (West Hartford, Avon)
  • Representative Kate Farrar 20th (West Hartford, Newington)
  • Representative Dominique Johnson 143rd (Norwalk, Westport)
  • Representative Susan Johnson 49th (Windham)
  • Representative Trenee McGee 116th (West Haven)
  • Representative Amy Morrin Bello 28th (Wethersfield)
  • Representative Kara Rochelle 104th (Ansonia, Derby)
  • Representative Gary Turco 27th (Newington, New Britain)

“Each of these legislators has shown themselves to be diligent and committed lawmakers given the amount of additional work required of Deputy Majority Leaders,” said Majority Leader Rojas. “This team will ensure legislation is carefully reviewed prior to final action on the floor and will also be a resource to their colleagues on Democratic priority bills. I am grateful for their willingness to serve in this important role.”
 
The Majority Leader’s Office will also welcome Jeff Currey as the incoming Chief of Staff for the Majority Leader following his tenure in the General Assembly. Jeff brings extensive legislative experience to the role having served five terms in the legislature where he was most recently House Chair of the Education Committee following multiple terms as screening chair for two majority leaders. Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree from Wagner College and will complete a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy in May 2025.
 
The 2025 legislative session begins on January 8, 2025, and the House Democrats are eager to continue their work on behalf of the residents of Connecticut.

 
Access Health CT
Access Health CT (AHCT) has announced that the deadline to enroll in health and dental coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025, is Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Customers who enroll from Dec. 16, 2024, through Jan. 15, 2025, will have coverage starting Feb. 1, 2025. The Open Enrollment Period for Connecticut residents to shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance or renew their coverage began Nov. 1, 2024, and runs through Jan. 15, 2025.

Customers may enroll in health or dental coverage, or both. AHCT is the only place state residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance. Nearly 90% of AHCT customers receive financial assistance to help pay for their health insurance. Some customers might qualify for the Covered CT Program. This program provides no-cost coverage for eligible residents.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person, and over the phone. For a list of enrollment fairs and to register, visit the Enrollment Events webpage on the AHCT website. Information about enrollment locations and Navigator locations are also listed. Customers can also get help from a certified broker or enrollment specialist in their community.

Go to AccessHealthCT.com and click "Get Help" or call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available in more than 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator. People can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website.

 
Student Loan Reimbursement Program
Starting January 1, Connecticut college students will be able to benefit from a bill we passed to alleviate student loan debt. The reimbursement program, led by House Democrats and the first of its kind in the nation, provides up to $5,000/year for up to four years (up to $20,000) in loan forgiveness. Six million dollars has been allocated in the current budget cycle and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Office of Higher Education (OHE) may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who meets the following requirements: 

  1. Must have graduated from a Connecticut state public or private college or university with a bachelor’s or associate degree or have an occupational/professional license or certificate or left such college in good standing and was granted a hardship waiver by the Office of Higher Education.
  2. Must be a CT resident for at least five years.
  3. Must have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $125,000 for single applicants and file a federal tax return as unmarried or have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $175,000 for married applicants and file a federal tax return as head of household, married filing jointly or a surviving spouse.
  4. Must have an outstanding student loan balance and have made payments in 2024 toward federal direct loans, federal direct PLUS loans, federal Perkins loans, CHESLA loans, other state-sponsored student loans, or a private student loan.
  5. Must have volunteered for at least 50 hours at a Connecticut nonprofit organization registered with the Department of Consumer Protection, municipal government, served on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization, or has military service after January 1, 2024.

This program represents a true bipartisan effort and will have a direct impact not only on Connecticut’s economy but also on its workforce.
 
Questions should be directed to
 OHE.SLRP@CT.GOV. The application process opens on January 1. For more information or to apply in January, click HERE.

 
Legislative Town Halls

The East Hartford Delegation invites you to attend our Legislative Town Hall at the East Hartford Town Hall, located at 740 Main Street, on January 29th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with your elected officials and discuss the issues that matter most to you and our community. Town hall events are a chance for you to ask questions, share your thoughts, and listen to what others in the community have to say. Your voice is important, and we want to hear from you. We hope you’ll join us for a productive and engaging evening, and we look forward to seeing you there!

The Manchester Delegation is excited to invite you to our Legislative Town Hall at the Whiton Branch Library, located at 100 North Main Street, on January 13th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. This event provides a valuable opportunity for you to engage directly with your elected officials, voice your concerns, and discuss the issues that are most important to you and your community. Whether you have questions, ideas, or simply want to listen, this is a great chance to have your voice heard and to be part of the conversation shaping our future. We encourage you to join us for an informative and open discussion, and we look forward to seeing you there!
 
Bridge Work on I-291 to I-84
Eastbound Ramp in Manchester

CTDOT is announcing bridge joint repair work will be performed on I-291 eastbound in Manchester starting on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing bridge work will be performed on the I-291 eastbound ramp to I-84 in Manchester. This project is scheduled to occur the night of Thursday, December 12 and be completed on Friday, December 13, 2024. This project ensures the bridge remains in a state of good repair.

This project is being performed by Hartford Bridge Maintenance.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

The left shoulder of the I-291 eastbound to I-84 eastbound ramp will be closed Thursday, December 12, and be completed on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Traffic control signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone.

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.

 
Today In CT History

New Haven’s iconic Shubert Theatre, which earned the nickname “Birthplace of the Nation’s Greatest Hits” after decades of distinctive dramatic debuts, first opened its doors in December 1914. It was the second theater built by the Shubert Organization, a family-run theater management business, and was patterned after the original Shubert Theatre in New York City, featuring ornate, gilded details throughout the theater interior. Two years after its grand opening, the Shubert hosted the premiere of Robinson Crusoe, Jr., starring Al Jolson, who was then considered one of the world’s foremost entertainers, and over the ensuing years would continue to function as an “off-Broadway” incubator where some of the world’s most beloved musicals and dramas would be staged for the first time.

Handbill for the world premiere of My Fair Lady, starring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison, at New Haven’s Shubert Theatre.

In the early- to mid-20th century, the Shubert’s New Haven audience was considered to be reliably cultured and well-educated, and playwrights like Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, and Eugene O’Neill were eager to see how their works were received there before tweaking them and bringing them to larger audiences in New York. The famous musical-writing duo Rodgers and Hammerstein were especially fond of the Shubert and debuted several of their most well-known musicals there, including South Pacific, The King and I, The Sound of Music, Carousel, and Away We Go (which changed its name to Oklahoma! before making the move to Broadway). Throughout its first 60 years of existence, the Shubert hosted an endless stream of some of 20th-century America’s most famous celebrities, from Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable and Katharine Hepburn from the black-and-white film era, to Sidney Poitier, Julie Andrews, Robert Redford, Carol Burnett, James Earl Jones, future First Lady Nancy Reagan, and countless other stars.

Faced with increasing competition from movie theaters, skyrocketing costs of theater productions, and economic stagflation, the Shubert Theatre struggled to stay open in the early 1970s and closed its doors in 1976. Right around the same time, New Haven city planners were pursuing an aggressive agenda of “urban renewal” that threatened to demolish older, unfashionable buildings like the Shubert. Through the concerted efforts of many New Haven residents and community arts groups, the theater was saved from destruction and slowly and painstakingly restored over the next several years. Seven years after it was nearly destroyed, the Shubert staged its own dramatic comeback story, reopening on December 13, 1983. Today, it remains New Haven’s premiere theater venue, hosting dozens of touring Broadway productions, musicals concerts, and other productions every year.

Further Reading

Our History: Overview,” Shubert Theatre website

Scott Hamilton, “At This Theatre: Shubert Theatre, New Haven, CT,” Playbill

 
Town Of East Hartford
 Town Meetings
 
Regular Town Council Meeting
January 7th, 2025 at 7:30 PM
740 Main Street (Town Hall)
+1929-235-8441; ID: 565393232#    
Board of Education Meeting
January 13th, 2025, at 7:00 PM
857 Forbes Street
https://www.easthartford.org/board_of_education

Town Resources
https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents
 
Town Newsletters
Pulse of East Hartford     
East Hartford Public Schools
East Hartford Works

 
Town Of Manchester
Town Meetings
 
Regular Board of Directors Meeting
January 14th, 2025, 7:00 PM
Lincoln Center Hearing Room (494 Main Street)
Board of Directors

Board of Education Regular Meeting
January 13th, 2025 7:00 PM
Lincoln Center Hearing Room (494 Main Street)
Board of Education
 
 
Check out the Department of Leisure, Family & Recreation’s Winter/Spring 2025 Program & Event Guide! For more information click here
 
Current Town of Manchester job openings include: Administrative Staff Attorney, Chief Administrative Officer (Water & Sewer Dept.), HR Benefits & Engagement Coordinator, Mechanic II, Police Officer, School Crossing Guard, and Water Treatment Plant Superintendent. Click here to find out more.
 
Winter Parking Ban Starts December 1st 

From December 1st to April 1st, overnight parking is not allowed on public streets or municipal parking lots between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM. The Chief of Police may also declare a parking ban if a significant snow event is forecast or in progress. Click here for more info.

 
Holiday in the Park 

Join the Town Manchester for “Holiday in the Park”! This drive through event will be filled with music, some of your favorite characters, treats and a special gift for the holiday presented at the end to all children (limited).

 Time: 9:00 AM-11:00 AM 

Location: Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Tpke.

Ages: children & youth

 
Santa’s Workshop
Mondays through Fridays 4pm-7pm.
Saturdays & Sundays 1pm-5pm.

Enjoy an enchanted visit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in the beautiful log cabin nestled at the highest point in the park!

This is a traditional, family friendly event. There are no sponsorships or commercialization of the event and it is free for everyone!

Stop at the elf desk to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list then head over to tell Santa how good you’ve been and what you want for Christmas. Don’t forget to visit Mrs. Claus to have some hot cocoa and a cookie!

Bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantries. All donated in the name of the friends of Wickham Park.

 
Town Of Manchester
Town Resources
Manchester Public Schools - One Manchester
Manchester Matters
 
 
Community Branding Initiative:
Your Input Needed!

The Town of East Hartford has recently begun a community-wide branding initiative. Why? In an increasingly competitive and mobile world, communities must present what they stand for to their residents, prospective residents, visitors, and businesses to give each of these audiences confidence in choosing the community. It's a matter of ensuring long-term economic health and vibrancy.

While this is a branding project for the Town of East Hartford as a municipal government, the Town’s brand must reflect East Hartford’s identity both as a government and as a community. The East Hartford story is defined by the people who spend their time here—living, working, and exploring. Each individual plays a part in defining this town, and their stories help us uncover the unique identity of East Hartford. As we build the East Hartford brand, we will rely on a strong foundation of research to inform creative outcomes and implementation planning. We are currently in the Research portion of the project and look forward to uncovering and creating the East Hartford brand.

Help us shape the brand, (how people talk about us) by responding to our community survey here.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish. You can also find paper copies of the survey at Town buildings (Town Hall, CCC, both libraries, Public Safety, and the Senior Center) beginning Friday, December 13th. The community survey will close on January 31st, 2025.

Learn more about the Community Branding Initiative and how YOU can get involved by visiting chooseeasthartford.com.

 
East Hartford Commission Showcase
New East Hartford Veteran Banner Program!

Announcing the 2025 Board and Commission Showcase, an event where residents can learn about and engage with the boards and commissions in East Hartford. There will also be opportunities to join those that are currently recruiting new members.

The showcase will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the Community Cultural Center, located at 50 Chapman Place from 5:30-8:00 PM.

The schedule of events will be as follows:

  • 5:30-6:00 PM: Meet and greet with Commissions and Boards
  • 6:15 PM: Presentation by Commission and Board Chairs: How they can help and how residents can get involved. A short Q&A will follow.
  • 7:00-8:00 PM: A light dinner, dessert and drinks will be served, and residents will be encouraged to spend time speaking to commission/board members.

Service on Town boards and commissions is one of the principal means by which citizens can participate in the conduct of local government. Volunteers may serve in a variety of capacities and are encouraged to look for opportunities which will allow them to share their experience, skills and talents, while offering a meaningful and rewarding experience for the volunteer.

Boards and commissions exercise a number of advisory, administrative and quasi-judicial powers and functions that are essential to the operation of town government. Boards and commissions are created and enabled in different ways. Some are required by the State of Connecticut and some are created by the Town Council. Terms of office and qualifications for office vary as well.

Join us on January 15, to learn how our Commissions and Boards can help you and how you can get involved.

 
The East Hartford Veteran Banner Program will honor the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country through a touching banner display in the heart of East Hartford, along Main Street. 
 
Each banner will display the name, photograph, branch, major wars or conflicts and one or two major awards of the veteran. 
 
Each year the banners will be displayed Memorial Day through Veterans Day, and then given to the sponsor, the honored Veteran, or their family.
The banners are entirely funded by a $200 donation by sponsors from the community- family, friends, local businesses, and civic organizations. 

If you have a Veteran that you would like us to add to “needs a sponsor” list, please send an email to Chief of Staff Ekaterine Tchelidze at etchelidze@easthartfordct.gov.
  
The initiative is put together by East Hartford residents and Veterans who came together to honor those who served from our community. 

 
Town Of East Hartford
Town Resources
Pulse of East Hartford Newsletter
East Hartford Public School News
East Hartford Works
 
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.

Sincerely,

Jason Rojas

 
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