Legislative Update 10/25

October 28, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

I have some great news for low and moderate-income, homebuyers in Connecticut!

This week, the State Bond Commission approved $40 million in state funding that will be used to reopen the popular Time To Own program to a new round of applicants.

Time To Own has helped thousands of people buy their first homes since launching in 2022. The program provides forgivable loans for down payments and closing costs and has enabled individuals and families to achieve the dream of homeownership, fostering long-term financial stability and contributing to stronger communities.
 
To date, Time To Own has helped more than 4,800 homebuyers in 149 towns buy their first homes, more than half of whom are people of color. With the new funding allocation, Connecticut has invested $195 million in the program.

For more information on eligibility, additional considerations, and how to apply, please click HERE.  
 
VOTE EARLY!
Early voting is underway in Connecticut, and there was a huge turnout across the state. The Secretary of State's office said more than 56,000 people cast a ballot on Monday. Early voting will continue through Sunday, November 3. It's the first time this option is available for a general election in CT. Margaret Morton Government Center Conference Room C 999 Broad Street is the early voting location in Bridgeport. Please click HERE for the available hours to vote and more.
 
GET FREE HELP WITH HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
Connecticut has a free resource in the Office of Health Advocate (OHA), an independent state agency available to help everyone understand, navigate, and resolve healthcare insurance plan decisions on coverage, billing, denials of services and claims, and other healthcare-related issues.

The OHA also helps if you believe an insurance company wrongly denies a procedure. Kathy Holt, the Acting Healthcare Advocate, recently shared a couple of encouraging stories. The first involves an insurance company that denied a woman’s prior authorization for a medically necessary outpatient procedure to treat varicose veins. The OHA intervened, and the insurance company approved the procedure, saving that woman $3,667.

The second story involves a person who unsuccessfully tried to get coverage for a year-and-a-half for specialized glasses she needed to see after recovering from a stroke. The OHA team obtained a one-time exception from the insurance company saving that person $3,600.

If you need assistance with health care insurance, contact the Office of Health Advocate at (866) 466-4446 or (860) 331-2440 or

send an email here. The OHA may provide relief from your insurance confusion.
 
STATE PARKS GETTING FINANCIAL BOOST
Governor Lamont has announced that $30 million in state bonding will go toward improving our state parks and forests. The funding will support much-needed infrastructure repairs and renovations across Connecticut’s 110 state parks and 32 state forests, ensuring a better experience for everyone who wants to spend time in the great outdoors.

$3 million of that investment will fund urgent repairs at state parks that were damaged in historic floods in August. The storm caused significant damage to:

Other outdoor recreational areas

This funding supports the Restore CT State Parks initiative, which is a historic effort by the Lamont administration and the state legislature to address the backlog of needed repairs. Since 2022, the state has committed more than $70 million to the American Rescue Plan Act and state bond funds to support investment in outdoor recreation.
 
Click here for a list of projects in our state parks system
Improving our parks and forests will benefit everyone in the state. Access to parks promotes physical fitness by hiking, biking, jogging, and more. Being outside also helps our mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, parks provide recreational spaces where families can come together. Ultimately, this investment will increase the quality of life while preserving Connecticut’s natural beauty.
 
REMINDER: CHET DREAM BIG! COMPETITION IS ON
I wanted to remind you about this amazing opportunity for students in grades K-12 to enter and win up to $20,000 toward their future education.
To enter, students answer a question through artwork, an essay, or a video. Younger students focus on what they want to do when they grow up, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned or a person who has impacted their lives.

The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate. Please take a moment to visit the website to learn more, and then encourage your child to take part. More than 250 students will receive monetary prizes to be deposited into a CHET account. For more details, please click

HERE.
 
REMEMBERING ROBERT SHARKEVICH SR.
I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the Wethersfield Fire Department and the family of Firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr., who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 

Sincerely,

Fred Gee
State Representative

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