Dear Neighbor,
On March 8th, Connecticut had its first confirmed case of coronavirus. On March 9th, the Governor declared a state of Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies. And our lives have been radically changed ever since.
However, my commitment to you and your family has not changed. We will get through this period, and I know our state will be stronger on the other side.
This newsletter is intended to provide you with helpful information and resources, as well as an overview of some of the work my office has been doing during this time.
If you have any questions, concerns, or if I can be helpful to you in working with any state agency or understanding how any of our state laws or regulations can affect your work, our schools, or your opportunities, please call or email me anytime.
Best,
Coronavirus Resources
For the most up to date information please visit portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
Facemasks: To reduce the spread of the virus the CDC and Governor Lamont continue to require individuals to wear masks in public when unable to “social distance” more than 6 feet away from others.
COVID-19 Testing: Our own local Fair Haven Community Health Care is now offering free COVID-19/coronavirus testing at their main, 374 Grand Avenue location. Their walk-up testing center requires an appointment and is open Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm. Please call 203-871-4179 for an appointment or visit www.fhchc.org/coronavirus.
Unemployment: To file for unemployment visit www.FileCTUI.com to file your claim or call: 860-263-6975, 203-455-2653, 860-263-6974 or 203-455-2650.
Business Help: For guidelines on safe ways to operate your business visit the Department of Economic and Community Development website: business.ct.gov/Recovery. They have also opened a small business hotline: 860-500-2333.
Mortgage and Rent Assistance: For assistance with rent or mortgage payments visit portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/information-for/homeowners-and-renters.
Municipal Tax Deferrals: This program allows residents to delay payment of property taxes for ninety (90) days from the date that they become due and payable without interest or penalty.
My office is here to help. I know that working with state agencies and our partners during this time can be complicated. Phone lines are crowded, applications may be confusing. Call or email me anytime, and I promise I will get you help.
Advocating For You During this Time
This has been a remarkably challenging time for all of us. My office has worked with many of you to fix issues with your unemployment applications, help your business apply for financial aid and with the DMV to get your car registered. I know that it is during these challenging times when we need government help and services the most. I have also worked directly with our first responders and community health providers to help expand the capacity for PPE equipment and testing as well as with our nursing homes and many businesses to address safety protocols and reopenings. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues and the Governor to expand tele-medicine, affordable childcare options for front-line workers and extend due dates for state income taxes and municipal property taxes. If there are more ways that we can make state government work better for you, please let me know.
The Regular Session
Although our legislative session ended early there were still some very significant initiatives that I look forward to continue to work on when session resumes.
Renters Rebate: This session, I also worked on Renter’s Rebate legislation for seniors and those who benefit from the program by simplifying the notarization requirement, which successfully passed the Aging Committee.
Public Safety: As Vice-Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, I worked on legislation to improve the safety of our streets from illegal street racing, ATV’s and dirt bikes. I also worked on a proposed bill to make the life-saving drug Narcan more available to our first responders. Although these bills could not be passed in the House and Senate before session ended I remain committed to securing their passage.
Special Session
In early June, legislative leadership and the Governor agreed that it was time for members of the General Assembly to meet and pass reforms in response to the current pressing issues our state faces. I will continue to advocate for this as your State Representative.
Absentee Voting: No one should have to choose between their right to vote and being safe. The legislature will be working to ensure that everyone who has health concerns has the right to vote by absentee ballot in the November general election. The Governor has already issued an executive order to provide for absentee balloting for the August Primary and November election should there continue to be no vaccine for COVID-19. However, we are also planning to go into special session to pass legislation to address this issue as needed if there is a challenge. Essentially that legislation would state that someone can vote by absentee ballot beyond just “his or her illness,” but also include the reasonable fear of contracting or spreading illness.
Police Transparency and Accountabilty: We will take immediate action on police accountability and transparency legislation in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and other racial incidents that have captured the attention of our entire nation. We will be looking at requiring police body cameras in all towns, reforming police policies and procedures, among other initiatives. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office and make your voice heard as we work to manage the COVID crisis, expand voting rights and implement reforms to make for more accountable and transparent policing.
State Aid and Bond Funding For New Haven
This year’s state bond package authorizes $25 million for the New Haven Port Authority, which I was glad to secure with the help of Senator Looney. Plans include dredging to increase the channel depth from 35 to 40 feet and widening of the basin to allow larger vessels into the harbor, which is the largest port in Connecticut and second largest in New England. It is a tremendous asset for our state’s economy and the New Haven region. Improvements to the harbor will increase the flow of cargo moving through the port, create jobs, and expand its economic impact along with access to our rail system, and I-95/I-91 for the trucking industry. The State Bond Commission must vote to release the funds and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has to approve the plans.
Other state bond funds I worked with Senator Looney and the New Haven delegation to secure over the past few years for our district to put funding back into our local economy include:
- $4 million in grant funding for the Living Shoreline Project at East Shore Park.
- $1.8 million for the Reconstruction of the Fort Hale Fishing Pier.
- $575,000 for improvements to the Little League baseball fields in Fairmont Park including drainage repairs, security upgrades and other improvements for the park.
- Securing over two-thirds of state and federal funds for the $25 million Grand Avenue Bridge Reconstruction project.
| New Haven State Aid | FY 20 | FY 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Local Capital Improvement Project (LOCIP) | $1,591,951 | $1,591,951 |
| Town Aid Road | $1,254,250 | $1,254,250 |
| Grants for Municipal Projects | $1,805,520 | $1,805,520 |
| Education Cost Sharing | $158,100,479 | $161,054,295 |
| PILOT (State Owned Property & Colleges/Hospitals) | $41,691,636 | $41,691,636 |
| Total State Funds To Town | $229,669,798 | $232,623,614 |
In addition to some of this bonded aid the bill contained funds for workforce development, launching the Paid Family Medical Leave insurance program and funding transportation improvements. It is now up us to work with Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission to secure the release of these funds.