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| I had a fantastic time at Waterfest 2024 hosted by the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed this weekend! It was inspiring to join so many community members for a day focused on environmental education and hands-on activities to protect the Mystic River. Events like these remind us how crucial it is to work together to keep our local waters clean and honor the Tribal history that connects us. I was grateful to be joined by leaders and members from the Eastern Pequots, Mohegan Tribe, and the Mashantucket Pequots! Thank you to everyone who came out and contributed to such a meaningful cause. |
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| NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST |
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| Several new laws that were passed during the 2024 legislative session will go into effect on Tuesday, October 1st. |
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| New laws include increasing safety for home health care aides who are on the front lines of direct contact with clients, giving the elderly population more options for choosing nursing homes and preventing discrimination for those under mental health care.
The internet is a great informational resource, but can also be misused by thieves, bullies, predators, scam artists, and other criminals. To protect privacy, online services will be prohibited from collecting personal data without approval from those under 18, and those 13 years of age and younger only with parental consent.
Animal rights were on the radar with the banning of dog races and gifting of live animals at fairs, and increased penalties for hurting or killing a police dog. Also, the Siberian Husky will officially be the state dog on October 1!
Additionally, to help facilitate voting access for eligible voters, we included a question on the ballot in our next election that will allow voters to choose whether to implement a law for no-excuse absentee ballots. With that in mind, the integrity of our electoral system is central to voter trust and participation in elections and to help safeguard that confidence we extended the time violations of state election laws can be referred to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for investigation.
There are several new laws in addition to the above – please follow the link below for the full list and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
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| Thank you for your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings. Public input and feedback had a direct influence on these new laws. I encourage you to continue sharing your views and make your voice heard. |
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| CT DOT LAUNCHES NEW MOVE OVER LAW CAMPAIGN |
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| Have you seen the new public service announcement raising awareness about the state’s Move Over Law? The "Real Lives" campaign stresses why it’s important to protect anyone who is on the side of the road by following the law. The Connecticut Department of Transportation launched ads on TV, radio, social media, and at gas stations. Take a look below. |
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Connecticut’s Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down and move over for any vehicle stopped on the side of highways and side roads. Between 2017 and 2021, 16 people died in roadside crashes in Connecticut with 13 of them happening after dark.
The “Real Lives” campaign aims to educate the public on the following key points of Connecticut's Move Over Law:
- Move Over: When approaching a stopped vehicle on the roadside, if you are on a highway with two or more lanes in one direction, safely move over one lane.
- Slow Down: If it is not safe to move over, drivers must slow down to a reasonable speed below the posted limit and proceed with caution.
- All Vehicles: The law applies to any stopped vehicle on the roadside, not just emergency or service vehicles.
- Penalties: Violators of the law may face fines, with penalties increasing significantly if a crash results in injury or death.
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| The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is developing a Resilience Improvement Plan (RIP) to help identify climate-related vulnerabilities and prioritize solutions across the agency’s multi-modal transportation network.
The RIP uses federal formula funds allocated for resilience-related planning activities under the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program created under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA).
By developing the RIP and incorporating it into the state’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, Connecticut will be eligible to reduce its federal/state cost share on transportation projects. The process also prepares the state for the continued operation and rapid recovery of surface transportation systems affected by major weather events, including natural disasters and changing climate conditions.
The plan will be conducted in two phases. Phase one will conduct a risk-based vulnerability assessment that draws on existing and future climate data to rank the vulnerability of state-owned assets. In the second phase, CTDOT will develop an implementation plan identifying potential projects, timelines, and cost estimates.
A survey is open to the public to provide feedback on what types of projects CTDOT should consider to improve resiliency across the state. To complete the survey, please click HERE.
For additional information, including a video overview of Connecticut’s statewide Resilience Improvement Plan, please click HERE. |
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| Volunteers are needed for the Luminaria Walk On the Trails of Copp Property Park in Groton on Friday, October 4th! |
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Volunteers are needed to help with the following between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in 2-hour shifts (you may sign up for more than 1 shift if you like).
- Set up
- Parking
- Check-in
- Safety Walk Trails
- Clean up
If you want to volunteer contact Tomi Stanley Volunteer Coordinator at 860-441-6782.
*Fun fact: Earlier this year, The town received a $143,000 DEEP Recreation Trails grant to widen and smooth trails at Copp Family Park, making them more accessible for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The grant will also fund braille interpretive signage, a maneuverable wheelchair for trails, and technology to assist visually impaired individuals, reflecting strong community support for accessible trails shown through the Recreational Needs Assessment, Age-Friendly Plan, and Parks Master Plan. |
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| GROTON CITY YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE SURVEY |
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| REMINDER: THRIVE 55+ DROP-IN PROGRAMS AND MORE |
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| A lot is going on at Thrive 55+. Check it out! |
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The VFW supports our community’s veterans who have served in overseas conflicts. The organization helps veterans access benefits like healthcare, education, and financial assistance, and it offers a community for those dealing with the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life. Additionally, the VFW advocates for veterans' rights on a national level, ensuring their voices are heard in policy decisions.
On VFW Day, we honor the men and women devoted to this valuable organization and those members who have served our nation. |
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| COMMUNITY EVENTS AND NOTICES |
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| Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
Sincerely,
Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative |
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