Thank You, Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period, It's National STEM Day

November 8, 2024

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you're enjoying some of the beautiful weather we've experienced the past couple of days. This is as good a time as any to thank you for your support on Election Day. I am humbled and remain proud to serve the residents of the 41st district. We have a trimmed-down edition of the newsletter this week. Topics include:

Out N' About in the 41st District
Thank You!
Our New Democratic Caucus
Access Health Ct Open Enrollment Has Begun
CT Transportation News
It's National STEM Day
Teen Safe Driving Contest Video
Happy Birthday, Marine Corps
Veteran's Day is Monday
Community Events and Notices

Have a great weekend,
Aundré

Out N' About In The 41ST District

We had a fun monthly coffee hour at the Ditty Bag Market on Saturday! We also had great discussions on a range of topics. Thank you to all who stopped by, especially my dog Lola’s furry friend Zoe! A BIG thank you to Jason for hosting and Judy for graciously baking cookies amidst her busy schedule.

Thank You!

Thank you to the Groton, Mystic, and Stonington residents for again trusting me to represent our 41st District. I am incredibly grateful for your support and energized to continue working on the issues that matter most to us.

From strengthening protections for our environment, improving housing access, and promoting sustainable development, to advocating for educational opportunities and economic growth, I am committed to making sure our voices are heard in Hartford.

To my family, friends, and supporters who always have my back—you make this work possible, and I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support. Together, we will keep fighting for a fairer, more resilient community and a brighter future for all.

Our New Democratic Caucus

I am excited to be back in the people’s House for our first Democratic caucus of the year. Our majority now includes at least 102 of 151 members. It was wonderful reconnecting with many colleagues and supporting our great leaders as we look ahead to the 2025 legislative session.

Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period Has Begun

I wanted to remind you that you can take advantage of Access Health CT's Open Enrollment period through January 15, 2025. Connecticut residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance plans or renew their coverage. Customers may also enroll in dental insurance through AHCT.

When you enroll affects when your coverage starts. If customers enroll on or before December 15, coverage will start on January 1, 2025. If they enroll between December 16 and January 15, 2025, coverage will start on February 1, 2025.

AHCT is the only place Connecticut residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance. Nearly 90% of AHCT customers enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) receive assistance. Some customers might also qualify for the

Covered CT Program. This program provides no-cost insurance for eligible residents.

There are 22 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) available for customers to choose from this year. Plans are available from three insurance carriers, including Anthem, ConnectiCare Benefits Inc., and ConnectiCare Insurance Company Inc.

People who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program and live in Connecticut can sign up for health and dental insurance through AHCT.

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 over 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.

CT Transportation News

A tree removal operation will be performed on I-95, north and southbound, in Groton and Stonington. This project is scheduled to occur on Sunday evening, November 3, and be completed on Friday morning, December 6, 2024. Work will end at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, and will resume on Monday evening, December 2, 2024, due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

To ensure the safety of the public, CTDOT is removing dead, diseased, and decaying trees. Additionally, trees and vegetation that have grown into the clear zone, which is the safety space along the side of the roadway, are also being removed. This work helps save lives in the event of a crash or vehicle leaving the roadway.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect left lane and shoulder closures on I-95, north and southbound, in Groton and Stonington from Sunday evening, November 3 to Friday morning, December 6, 2024, during the hours of 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. (Sunday evening – Friday morning). Traffic control signing patterns, crash attenuator vehicles, and one (1) State Trooper 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. No work will be performed around any scheduled holidays.

The CTDOT is developing their statewide Active Transportation Plan and recently shared with us that they have a survey open to the public focusing on how we walk, bike, and roll in our communities, with a focus on state roads. Survey participation has been historically low in Southeastern Connecticut so please feel free to share this survey with your networks and take it yourselves. Please click on the image below to take the survey.

CTDOT seeking public comment on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 Transportation Plan

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 Transition Plan to showcase the agency’s commitment to providing an accessible transportation network for all while meeting federal ADA requirements.

CTDOT will be conducting public outreach both in-person and virtually. These events will offer opportunities for the public to provide input on the ADA Transition Plan. Meeting materials and any updates to outreach locations/dates/times will be updated on the CTDOT ADA Transition Plan website.

For more information, including in-person and virtual events, please click HERE.

The 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.

Teen Safe Driving Video Contest

Teenage students and high schools in Connecticut can win up to $26,000 in prizes by entering a submission into Connecticut’s 16th annual Teen Safe Driving Video Contest hosted by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Travelers.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2022, there were 2,514 people killed in crashes across the country involving teenage drivers between the ages of 15 and 18.

The Teen Safe Drive Video Contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled high school students in Connecticut between the ages of 14 and 18. Contest entrants are required to create a unique and effective video public service announcement no longer than 45 seconds, highlighting interactions between drivers and other teens while illustrating ways to practice safer driving habits and obey Connecticut’s teen driving laws.

The videos must also address at least one specific Connecticut teen driving law. Click HERE to read the full contest rules and instructions on submitting a video. The deadline for submissions is February 3, 2025. To watch winning videos from previous years, click here.

It's National Stem Day!

STEM is our future!

Join me in celebrating National STEM Day. Let’s inspire the next generation to discover the wonders of STEM and unlock endless career possibilities. Get your children or students involved with a fun activity book HERE.

Happy Birthday, Marine Corps!

On its 249th birthday, we celebrate and honor all those who have served in the USMC!

Veteran's Day is Monday

Those who live in freedom will always be grateful to those who helped preserve it. To all those who have served and their families, thank you for all you have done for our country.