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| Happy Friday! In this week's eblast, you can read about our special session, new laws going into effect July 1, and more. You can click on the links below to navigate between sections.
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| This week the Connecticut General Assembly met for a brief special session to pass some time-sensitive legislation that couldn't wait until next year's session. |
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Please read below for a brief outline of what we accomplished in yesterday's special session:
Motor Vehicle Fixes
School Construction
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This section addresses the Governor's concern and reverses the policy that was in the School Construction part of the Bond bill that would have allowed companies that oversee local school construction projects to also bid on subcontracts for those projects. While originally hoping this change could reduce school construction costs, the decision was made it's more important to ensure there can't be any double-dipping.
South Central Water Authority
Innovation Banks
- We changed all references to "uninsured banks" in our banking laws with "innovation banks," which expressly allows these banks to accept nonretail deposits that are eligible for FDIC insurance.
Interest on Certain Tax Underpayments
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Participation in the federal Employee Retention Credit program necessitated some tax filers to file an amended return due to IRS guidance. In our bill passed yesterday, we clarified that in that case, if the amended return led to an underpayment, they would not be charged interest.
State Historic Preservation Office
- This final section modifies the process by which the State Historical Preservation Authority reviews historic properties under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act.
As you can see, this bill has a lot of technical language, but what is important to know is that, among other things, these changes are geared to save you money on your motor vehicle taxes, prevent corruption in school construction, and help businesses across our state.
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Several new laws that address many issues aimed at improving our great state will become effective on July 1.
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New laws include mandatory video cameras at absentee drop boxes as part of sweeping legislation to ensure election security, allowing firearm sellers access to the arrest records of potential buyers under 21, prohibiting the selling of a person's health data without their consent, and requiring the departments of Social Services and Public Health to post a reporting tool on their websites that use a five-star system to compare nursing homes.
Additional laws include requiring social media companies to comply following a request to unpublish and delete accounts held by minors, and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) will have a mobile crisis-response vehicle available 24-7.
We also held a special session to tighten up a few loopholes, including one that avoids a motor vehicle tax increase for commercial vehicles. You can access the new laws that will go into effect on July 1 by clicking the button below.
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Lastly, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings. They had a direct influence on these new laws. I encourage you to continue sharing your views and make your voice heard during the legislative process.
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| I was so proud to see Groton receive $225,000 and Enfield receive $275,000 after the Connecticut State Department of Education, Governor Ned Lamont, and Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz, together allocated the one-time disbursement from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER).
The Alliance District Program was established in 2011-12 and designed to foster relationships between the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and identified schools with some of the state's lowest accountability outcomes. The program specifically allocates an annual increase in ECS funding for the district to pursue bold, innovative strategies that increase student outcomes dramatically while also closing the achievement and opportunity gaps.
Both Groton and Enfield were considered overfunded under the ECS when they were identified and had been receiving less funding since 2018.
As Alliance Districts, we are always looking for ways to improve the academic and personal outcomes for our students. This funding will greatly enhance those efforts. This generous funding is a recognition of the commitment we have to our students' success every day.
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| A reminder to please join me and Rep. Aundré Bumgardner tomorrow, June 29 from 9-11am for a town cleanup on Buddington Road!
We've partnered with Connecticut Clean Communities and Boots on the Sound for this great event, and I hope you'll join us to improve our community together! Please arrive at the intersection of Drozdyk Dr. and Buddington Rd. at 8:30am. Tools and supplies will be provided! |
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| I hope you'll join me and Rep. Bumgardner for an end of session forum Tuesday, July 9 from 6-7pm at the Thrive 55 "Community Room" (102 Newtown Rd, Groton).
Rep. Bumgardner and I will answer questions you have, talk about our priorities for the next legislative session, and hear what issues matter most to you. Events like this play a profound role in the legislation raised during session, so I hope you'll consider attending to have your voice heard! |
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| This week Connecticut launched the 2024 Governor's Summer Reading Challenge, a statewide program that encourages students K-12 to read books over the summer!
The theme this year is "Read, Renew, Repeat."
Each year the program recognized the highest percentage of the total school student population that participated in reading activities over the summer months - let's show them what our district has to offer and get to the top of that list!
For more information and resources on this year's challenge, including student journals and district reporting forms, click here. |
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Part of #PRIDE month is reflecting on your history.
During the 1950s, continued oppression resulted in many LGBTQ people in Connecticut being arrested for moral offenses or institutionalized as mentally ill, subjected to brutal “conversion” therapies. Yet there was a growing resistance to returning to the solitary, isolated lives many had known before World War II.
Gay and lesbian bars provided sanctuaries and could be found in all corners of the state. Supportive groups and movements emerged, such as Project H and the Kalos Society. Inspired by the civil rights and feminist movements, as well as the Stonewall riots of 1969, Connecticut’s LGBTQ population began to come out of the shadows and demand a place in society.
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| If you have any additional questions, comments, or concerns, I can be reached by phone at 1-800-842-8267 or by email at Christine.Conley@cga.ct.gov. For legislative updates, please like my Official Facebook Page.
Sincerely,
Christine Conley |
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